Malawi National Netball Team players can breathe a sigh of relief after Malawi National Council of Sports promised to pay their Fast5 Netball World Series allowances despite leaving the country unceremoniously for the event.
Sports Council has indicated that the players would be paid their allowances once the institution secures funding.
Earlier, the government’s sports implementation arm did not commit to pay the allowances amounting tp K12 million as the team reportedly left without the government’s approval for the tournament, which was held in Christchurch, New Zealand, in November last year.
Sports Council Public Relations and Communications Officer Edgar Ntulumbwa said they told Netball Association of Malawi that the outstanding allowances would be paid once funds are available.
“Currently there is no money but once we have it, the outstanding allowances will be paid,” Ntulumbwa said.
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However, Ntulumbwa said they are still probing Nam for taking the team to New Zealand without consent.
“We asked Nam for a report regarding the Fast5 trip and it was submitted. So we are looking at it right now,” he said.
Nam General Secretary Isaac Chimwala was elusive on the matter.
“I need to get a response from the executive and will come back to you once I have it,” Chimwala said.
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During the two-day event, Malawi lost all six games to finish at the bottom of the six-member competition.
After an unpleasant opening day which saw them losing 42-13 to New Zealand, Malawi went down to Jamaica 41-37 before enduring a 41-30 thumping at the hands of England.
The Queens’ misery continued the following day when they lost three more matches.
They were defeated 42-24 by eventual champions Australia before succumbing 37-31 to continental rivals South Africa.
In a position five/six play-off, the Queens lost 36-31 to Jamaica.
Australia emerged champions while New Zealand settled for silver, with England claiming bronze.
South Africa finished fourth, above fifth-placed Jamaica and bottom-placed Malawi.
The Queens’ only consolation was the naming of goalkeeper Towera Vinkhumbo as player of the match during the downfall to South Africa.
