By Peter Fote & Richard Chirombo:
Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) has opened investigations into Malawi National Netball Team players for allegedly violating their code of conduct.
This follows a video clip, which went viral on social media, soon after the team’s 62-39 loss to England at the just ended 2023 Netball World Cup finals in Cape Town, South Africa.
In the video clip, Queens’ captain Jane Chimaliro was flanked by nine players while another one is believed to have been filming it.
Chimaliro blamed shooter Mwawi Kumwenda for refusing to come in— two minutes before the second quarter ended— as a substitute after fellow shooter Joyce Mvula got injured.
Nam General Secretary Isaac Chimwala said they were investigating the players for allegedly breaching the code of conduct by going public, ignoring all necessary channels.
“This calls for disciplinary action. We have opened investigations into the matter, now that the games are over.
“We are not happy with what happened and we do not condone that. We want to know who authorised that video and what the motive was,” he said.
Chimwala refused to shed light on possible penalties to avoid compromising the investigations.
Meanwhile, Malawi National Council of Sports Board Chairman Sunduzwayo Madise has said they will ask for a report once they get back in office.
“That is a disciplinary issue; we will not just let it go. When we go back home, we need a comprehensive report from Nam on the entire trip, including on disciplinary issues,” Madise said.
The entire team was filmed sitting behind their captain while accusing Kumwenda of defying the coach’s instructions to replace injured Mvula.
Chimaliro also defended the coach but centred her message on blaming Kumwenda and apologising for the team’s loss to England.
Some Queens players, including Kumwenda, arrived Monday but most players are expected back home, through Chileka International Airport, today.
