Queens trials begin amid concerns
Malawi National Netball Team Coach Peace Chawinga- Kaluwa has defended the improvised senior team selection exercise ahead of the international tournaments.
Apparently, some analysts have questioned if it is necessary to hold tryouts for the senior side wondering if a national team player can be ready after being identified through this method.
The tryouts are expected to be held today and tomorrow in all the regions to select national team players before the Queens take part in Africa Netball Cup and Pent Series in Namibia next month.
The exercise will be held at Blantyre Youth Centre, Civo [Lilongwe] and Katoto [Mzuzu].
Chawinga-Kaluwa said the tryouts were important as they give unknown players an opportunity to market themselves.
“It is a chance for each and every player to prove their prowess that they can play for the national team. Infact, we should be holding this exercise annually,” she said.
The First Choice Tigresses mentor said national team selectors will not be limited to choose players.
“We don’t have a definite number we are looking for. We plan to blend seasoned and new players,” Chawinga- Kaluwa said.
Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) Technical Director Sam Kanyenda also defended the exercise.
“With the issue of Covid, our usual way of identifying players has not been possible. We believe this is close to what is workable in the prevailing circumstances,” he said.
Sports analyst George Kaudza-Masina faulted associations for lacking direction in the way they do things.
“You cannot hold tryouts to select national team players. It all started with Football Association of Malawi in selecting youth national teams and Nam has decided to follow suit,” he said.
Masina doubted if the trials will bear positive results.
“Tryouts which will be conducted for two days only cannot give a true reflection of the players to be selected. The performance of a player to be eligible for selection at national level requires monitoring for quite some time not just over two or three games,” he said.
“For fairness, players are supposed to be monitored through performance at their respective league’s to come out with a true reflection of the players ability,” he said.
