By Llywellenie Mpasa
Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) has said it will be saving nearly K75 million annually following the unveiling of Queens House in Namiwawa, Blantyre City.
The 10-room facility, provided through a partnership between Nam and Nico Group through its subsidiary Eris Properties, would serve as a permanent accommodation and training base for the Malawi Queens during local camps.
Nam President Vitumbiko Gubuduza said the initiative was a transformative step in the way the association supported its athletes.
“Instead of spending huge amounts [of money] on accommodation [during] every camp, we now have a suitable lodging facility that provides an ideal high-performance environment,” she said.
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Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, Gubuduza said the Queens spent about K25 million on accommodation and related expenses for each training camp, with the senior national team holding at least three local camps every year.
She said the facility would drastically reduce operational costs and allow the association to redirect resources into areas such as player welfare, talent development, technical programmes and strengthening netball.
Gubuduza further said the house would improve cost efficiency in areas such as nutrition, recovery and athlete management while creating opportunities to support other national teams, including the under-23 side and the Malawi Kings men’s netball team.
“We also intend to explore opportunities for other sports teams to utilise the facility, opening pathways for income generation and long-term sustainability,” she said.
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Eris Properties Chief Executive Officer Washington Chimuzu said the property had been leased to Nam under a three-year agreement, with an option for further extension.
“This partnership goes beyond financial support. We identified and renovated this house to provide an environment that promotes rest, recovery and strategic planning for athletes,” he said.
He said the project formed part of the One Nico Game Plan and reflected the company’s commitment to nurturing athlete performance and wellbeing while promoting national pride and creating opportunities for young people.
Malawi National Council of Sports acting Chief Executive Officer Ivy Chinangwa said the project highlighted the role the private sector could play in shaping the future of sport in Malawi.
“Strong partnerships between government institutions and the private sector are essential if we are to achieve sustainable sports development,” Chinangwa said.
Chinangwa further said Sports Council would construct a netball court within the premises to complement the accommodation facility and enhance training opportunities for the national teams.
In her remarks, Africa Netball Secretary General Khungikile Madise Matiya said Queens House would become a cornerstone of Malawi’s netball development strategy, providing a stable home for national teams while freeing up millions of Kwacha that could be reinvested in the growth of the sport.
