Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) is under panic, having been flooded with offers for the Malawi National Netball Team to take part in competitions and test matches later this year.
The development comes as a strain on Nam after the association exhausted its annual subvention from the government.
Nam has received offers for test matches from England, Jamaica, Wales and Barbados.
The Malawi Queens have been invited to Fast5 Netball World Series in Christchurch, New Zealand, from November 11 to 12 and also Diamond Challenge in South Africa from November 19 to 26.
The Queens are also expected to take part in the Africa Netball Championship in Gaborone, Botswana, from November 26 to December 6.
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Nam General Secretary Isaac Chimwala confirmed the development, saying their plate was full with offers.
“This is quite exciting. So far, the likes of Wales, England, Jamaica and Barbados have expressed interest in facing the Queens in test matches but they are yet to give us full details regarding the matches, venues and logistics.
“Besides that, the Queens are expected to take part in a number of competitions. We need to take part in the Fast5 Netball World Series and then Diamond Challenge, among others,” he said.
However, Chimwala said they will seek advice from the Malawi National Council of Sports on which competitions to join, having exhausted their allocation.
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“We cannot decide on our own. We will first present a proposal to the council for guidance before committing to the events,” he said.
Sports Council Public Relations and Communications Officer Edgar Ntulumbwa asked for ample time before he could comment on issue.
However, netball analyst Stella Guga advised Nam to be resourceful to raise funds outside what they get from the government.
“Nam should hold fundraising events including dinner and dance, selling Malawi Queens branded merchandise,” she said.
The Queens reached a new low after finishing seventh at the 2023 Netball World Cup finals in Cape Town, South Africa, which ended on August 6. This was the Queens’ worst finish at the world showpiece in 20 years, having been stuck on position six on three occasions; that is, 2011, 2015 and 2019.
