Queens brace for marathon
Malawi national netball team is geared for a marathon of Fast5 Netball World Series fixtures, which will see each participating team playing six games.
The two-day competition throws off on Saturday at Hisense Arena in Melbourne, Australia, with the Queens opening their campaign against Australia, England and Jamaica on Saturday.
On Sunday, Malawi face continental rivals, South Africa, before dating six-time holders, New Zealand.
Depending on how the Queens and other teams will fair in those games, they will be placed in play-offs to determine their positions.
Top-two sides will battle it out for the championship whereas teams that would finish third and fourth will compete for bronze medal. Bottom two teams will play in fifth/sixth place play-off.
Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) General Secretary, Carol Bapu, said Fast5 fixtures are always tough as teams play many games within two days.
“The fixture has never been kind to any team. We just have to hold our nerves and take each game seriously. The good thing is that we have managed to beat all those teams, expect New Zealand,” she said in an interview from Australia.
Last year, the Queens defied all odds to finish on third position. But, this year, it would be tough for the Queens as they are without star-shooter Mwawi Kumwenda who was dropped from the team after arriving late for camp training.
Coach Sam Kanyenda also withdrew from the team after Nam had rejected his wish to have Mwawi recalled. Influential Coach, Griffin Saenda senior, also missed the Queens’ camp due to an illness.
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