Two new teams, Pacers and Standard Sisters, have joined the race for the 2024 Rainbow Paints Blantyre and Districts Netball League title.
The two have replaced Gerald Tasaukadala Sisters and Machinjiri Sisters who were dismissed from the league following consistent poor showing in the league for the past four seasons.
Blantyre District Netball Committee General Secretary Annie Hanjahanja confirmed the development, saying the two sides have shown their growing potential already.
“As we announced before the start of the season, we relegated Gerald Tasaukadala Sisters and Machinjiri Sisters who were anchoring the bottom two places in the league for successive seasons.
“We replaced them with Pacers and Standard Sisters who have shown great potential that they can compete at the top level,” Hanjahanja said.
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Hanjahanja said the season has started on a high and that they expect more shocking results after Prison Queens stunned First Choice Tigresses 44-41 during the opening week of the season.
“Up-and-coming teams are hungry for success. They want to test the big teams, which will make the season exciting,” she said.
Meanwhile, Pacers President Nthombizana Thindwa has said they have started the campaign positively.
“In our first match of the season, we defeated Standard Sisters but we lost our second game. This is only the start of the season and we are hoping to do better,” Thindwa said.
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On his part, Standard Coach Wilson Nyalugwe said the Mulanje-based side intends to learn from the top teams.
“Eleven years ago, we played in the league under the name of Chitakale Sisters and, then, we returned to rural competitions. We have secured sponsorship from Mulanje South Member of Parliament Santiago Phiri. This is an opportunity to learn from the established sides,” Nyalugwe said.
In a related development, Airforce Sisters and Mubas are set to begin their 2024 season when they clash at Blantyre Youth Centre on Saturday.
