Netball England has invited Malawi Queens to take part in a Tri-Nations tournament with England and Jamaica in October.
The tournament, to run from November 22 to 29, is among the three events that the Malawi National Netball Team will take part in between October and December in what will be a tight schedule for the Queens.
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary (GS) Isaac Chimwala said in an interview yesterday that the Queens will also take part in the African Netball Championship from November 9.
He said: “Before the African Netball Championship, the team will also take part in a Pent Series in Namibia from October 31 to November 5.”
He said the team has also been invited to Scotland for test matches.
“So, it will be a busy schedule for our Queens and the tournaments will help us prepare for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games slated for next July.”
The NAM GS said while Malawi is among the red-listed countries for Covid-19, they are optimistic of being given special clearance into England “since we are on level two”.
Chimwala said they recently met the Queens coaching panel led by Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa to plan on the way forward.
“The coach briefed us on the plan she has as regards the team’s preparations.
“To that effect, we will be meeting the Malawi National Council of Sports next week to see how best we can proceed,” he said.
Chawinga-Kaluwa confirmed the meeting, saying: “Yes we indeed met and agreed on mapping the way forward regarding upcoming events.
“We are reviewing all the plans to ensure that they fall into place as NAM has also committed to support us.”
She said the upcoming events will be key in preparing for the Commonwealth Games
“So, all plans have been drawn towards that,” said the coach.
Australia-based Queens star shooter Mwawi Kumwenda said it is encouraging that the Queens have a busy schedule.
She said: “Hopefully, resources will be made available to ensure that the team takes part in all these events because it will help us tune up for Commonwealth Games.
“It will also be an opportunity to expose young talent that has been roped into the team.”
