National Sports

Standard Bank hints on return

There could be a silver lining lacing the horizon for Malawi netball fraternity as Standard Bank has hinted on the prospects of returning with the national netball trophy that was suspended two years ago.

The bank suspended the sponsorship of the netball showpiece due to what it described as poor organisation on the part of Netball Association of Malawi (NAM).

However, Standard Bank new marketing head Chimwemwe Matonga on Friday said the determination will be made following the outcome of the meeting they will have with the country’s netball governing body shortly.

“They [NAM] have asked to meet us and probably it is about the issue.

“So, what I can say for now is that chances of returning with the sponsorship are there, but that will be determined after the meeting that we’ll have with NAM,” said Matonga.

Relief was the prevalent emotion for NAM president Rosy Chinunda when he learnt the development on Monday.

“We have addressed all the issues that they [Standard Bank] raised, in particular setting up a secretariat to ensure proper management and flow of communication and we are optimistic that something positive will come out from the meeting,” said Chinunda.

She also said the other concern that Standard Bank raised was the comments which one of NAM’s affiliates made in the press.

“Apparently, what our affiliate said did not go down well with the bank and to that effect, we wrote an apology letter and cautioned our affiliate on the same.

“However, having said that, our view was that they [Standard Bank] had their own internal reasons for suspending the sponsorship because at the time they made the decision, we had already come up with the logistics such as the format and acquiring uniforms,” said Chinunda.

The tournament was last staged in 2011 and Escom Sisters are the current holders.

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