Nam focusing on Region 5 Games
Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) has started focusing on African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games which the country will host in 2022.
Netball alongside football, boxing, swimming, paralympics, athletics and judo are among sport codes that have been earmarked to represent the country during the biannual developmental games.
Additionally, netball is regarded as one of the key sport codes that have the potential to win a gold medal for the country.
Nam president, Khungekile Matiya, said they were aware of the task as such plans were underway to build a strong under-20 national team.
“Nam is aware that Malawi will host Region 5 Games in 2022 as such we are currently working on a long term preparatory program with government. Region 5 Games are for junior teams as such we are putting in place structures that will ensure that between this year and 2022 we have a strong squad,” she said.
Matiya was convinced that the junior squad can triumph at home following recent success in 2018 games where they scooped silver medals.
“You may wish to know that in 2018 our netball team did well at Region 5 Games and that is why even their coach was named the best coach of the year 2018 at the Malawi Sports Awards,” Matiya said in reference to Tropical Queens coach, Christina Mkwanda who guided the side to podium finish.
Meanwhile, Matiya said Nam was hunting for sponsorship to set up regional and national cups from where to tap talent from.
“Last year you saw the first ever junior league in the southern region. The Boltsalt league brought to the fore a number of talented players and we are happy that some big teams in the region have since picked some of those players,” she said.
Matiya also disclosed that Malawi National Council of Sports asked for a development plan late last year which the association submitted.
“That blue print has the element of youth development which will help us prepare for 2022,” he said.
