Some Malawi National Netball Team players have questioned the composition of the disciplinary board which Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) has instituted.
This comes after the board summoned players to an online disciplinary hearing on October 18 over a clip which was circulated soon after the Queens lost to England in a 2023 Netball World Cup finals game in Cape Town, South Africa.
Some of the players, who did not want to be mentioned, said they are against three members of the board, namely chairperson Junia Kazembe [Nam Vice President], Isaac Chimwala [Nam General Secretary (GS)] and member Diana Nkhulembe [Nam Vice General Secretary].
The players said the trio should not be involved in the case as it was with the team in South Africa.
“How are we going to get justice? The issues surround them as well. For instance, we feel that the GS was sabotaging us when it came to getting some tickets,” she said.
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Other players called for an independent committee for fair hearing.
“They are interested parties. The hearing will not achieve its intended purpose because they will not be fair. They will cover their flaws,” another player said.
In a letter dated October 17 2023, which Chimwala has signed, Nam asks individual players to appear before the board over various offences.
“[The offences include] releasing of or causing to release a video clip that brought embarrassment to the nation, Nam and national squad.
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“Players’ refusal to play the game against Uganda due to World Cup secretariat delays to issue match day tickets to member countries.
“Failure to return uniform and other sports equipment upon return from the games,” the letter reads.
Chimwala said he could not comment as the issue is under investigation.
“The matter is with Nam’s disciplinary committee which is under strict instruction to maintain secrecy until completion to avoid prejudice. Results of the investigation will be shared once the matter is concluded,” he said.
The development comes after Queens captain Jane Chimaliro announced that she had retired from the senior national team.
However, she said her decision had nothing to do with a clip, which was circulated following misunderstandings in the squad.
