Bonanzas keep netball alive
Desperate situations call for desperate measures. That is how netball in the Northern Region can best be described.
Following the absence of an established netball league in the last four years, several individuals have been hosting bonanzas in a bid to keep the sport ticking.
This weekend eight teams from Mzuzu, Rumphi, Karonga and Chitipa and Mzimba will battle it out in the K250, 000 Dr Moses Mlenga Netball Bonanza to be staged at Chitipa Police Ground.
The two-day competition throws off tomorrow when defending champions, Karonga Queens, face competition from Chitipa Queens, Ekwendeni Resource of Mzimba and Mzuzu-based Ascending Queens.
Mayiza Sisters, Mzuzu Queens and Ellah Queens from Mzuzu and Malongo Sisters from Rumphi will also take part in the bonanza.
Northern Region Netball Committee (NRNC) Executive Committee member, Killy Musukwa, who is the bonanza’s Organising Committee Chairperson, has since urged teams to take the competition seriously.
“The purpose of the bonanza is to expose hidden talent from rural areas, since Northern Region contributes players to the national team and big teams from the Central and Southern regions.
“If you take a closer look, you will find that teams that will take part in this bonanza do not have big-name players. We believe that the tournament will achieve its purpose,” Musukwa said.
NRNC General Secretary, Levi Mkumbira, concurred with Musukwa, saying such competitions are crucial to the development of grassroots netball.
“These bonanzas are vital since they help players keep fit. Our counterparts have well-established leagues, and that is why they always perform better during national competitions,” he said.
The winner of the bonanza will walk away with K100, 000, with the runners-up pocketing K70, 000.
Teams that will settle for third and fourth spots shall be awarded K50, 000 and K30, 000, respectively.
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