With a week to go before Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) holds its elective Annual General Meeting in Salima District, some aspirants have unveiled their manifesto in their quest to win seats.
It is a game of hide and seek as most candidates have opted to shun the media by engaging the electorate only.
Some of the candidates that have openly shared their manifesto include incumbent president Khungekila Matiya who is seeking re-election.
Former Malawi Under-21 National Netball Team vice- Captain Tadala Billie and Vitumbiko Mwandemange Gubuduza who are vying for the posts of Treasurer and vice-General Secretary respectively also unveiled their manifesto.
Following the trio in unveiling manifesto are Anastasia Kaphale and former Malawi Queens shooter Linda Magombo-Munthali.
Kaphale, a business woman, who will contest for the post of vice-president, said she wanted to enhance netball growth.
“I am looking at things that can be done to make sure there is growth and continuity of the sport. I will focus on identifying new talent to facilitate the growth of the sport. We also need development of regional and district leagues as well as development of specific school leagues. We will rebrand netball as a professional sport by also holding coaching clinics,” she said.
Kaphale also said she would promote administration structures which will help with basic oversight such as arranging competitions to accommodate all levels of the sport.
“This shall include junior and senior structures for both urban and rural areas. Then we will turn to more serious issues such as preparation of the national team for international participation. There will also be proper structures to oversee regulatory matters of the sport,” said the former Central Region Netball Committee executive member.
Kaphale said she was also concerned with players’ welfare and she will make it a priority to improve it.
“On this I will lobby for the introduction of welfare fund for administrators and players both active and retired to ensure that they are well taken care of in times of need. We also need provision of proper insurance for netball players,” said the former Project Coordinator at Alliance One Tobacco and also ex-Administration Manager at Airport Development Limited.
Kaphale also wants to ensure proper succession of coaches and players of the Malawi Queens and formation of strategic alliances.
“We shall achieve this by engaging and making alliances with the corporate sector for sponsorship as well as rebranding of netball as a professional sport. I also want to inculcate a winning culture by timely planning for camp whenever the Queens are called to serve the nation,” she said.
Kaphale played netball at secondary school and college.
She holds a Masters Degree holder in Project Management (University of Bolton) and also a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts Humanities (Chancellor College).
Meanwhile, Magombo- Munthali, who played for First Choice Tigresses (formerly Admarc Tigresses), will vie for the post of General Secretary after losing in the last elections.
However, she believes the Queens can break into top four if they invest in grassroots netball.
“It is time to go back to the basics, build the foundation, revamp grassroots netball, with this we can break into the top four. All the people I played with, their history in netball dates back to their primary school days.
“So, if we are just focusing on competitions and no succession plans for the team, we will continue to register poor performance. The Queens do not prepare adequately for competitions, we need to provide timely financial and technical support to the team, if we want as a nation to achieve good results,” she said.
Magombo-Munthali said she will strive to develop systems for effective operations of the association and also foster a good working relationship with regional and district committees.
“I will also endeavour to increase visibility of the beautiful game of netball by leveraging on existing platforms and development partners interventions. I am also looking at improving players welfare and introduction of health insurance. On welfare we also need to introduce a savings/lending groups and engage partners to enhance livelihood security for players,” she said.
Magombo-Munthali has also promised to improve on accountability and transparency in Nam’s operations through timely reporting and dissemination of information to all stakeholders.
