Tigresses defend Airtel Money title
SindiI Simtowe last Saturday guided Complex Tigresses to a victory over Blue Eagles Sisters to defend the K360 million Airtel Money national netball trophy at Katoto Secondary School courts in Mzuzu.
Simtowes’ team was trailing in the thrilling close battle in the first quarter by 9-11 baskets.
But Simtowe, with assists from Ellen Chibokho, Rose Saidi and others, fought back to win 21-20 and 34-29 before holding the Eagles off with aggressive defending to win 44-40 in the end of last quarter.
Tigresses beat CivoNets 56-34 in semi- finals while Eagles eliminated Diamonds by 36-35 baskets.
North’s Thunders, Zomba Prison, Civonets and Mimosa were knocked out in quarterfinals.
But post match interview, Eagles’ Cecilia Ntukule accused umpire Joseph Kuwanda off a vouring Tigresses, a statement manager Hellene Mpinganjira and the umpire dismissed.
“We thank God for helping us defend the trophy despite the pressure,” Mpinganjira told reportrs. Tigers received K7 milion for being top.
Blue Eagles pocketed K2.5 million while third-placed Diamonds got K1 million.
Young Sisters’ player Mervis Kayange was named best defender, Thunders’ Thandi Galeta was best centre, Rabecca Dulanya was best umpire and each got K75,000.
Prisons’ Ethel Ghambi got K100,000 as Player of the Tournament.
Blantyre Newspapers Limited’ Mphatso Malidadi and Sebastian Nyirenda were named best print media reporter and runner- up respectively.
MBC’s Frank Kandu won the top prize in electroni category.
Airtel Malawi Country Director Francis Matseketsa expressed gratitude with netball administration and pledged continued sponsorship.
Sports Minister, Grace Chiumia, thanked Airtel’s sponsorship for economically empowering girls but said government is creating opportunities to support unemployed girls financially.
Netball Association president, Rose Chinunda, asked Airtel Malawi to construct standard netball courts in Mzuzu as Katoto courts are not user-friendly to girls.
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