One of the oldest netball teams in the country, Tigresses, is on the brink of disbandment due to financial hardships, Times Sport has learnt.
Following the loss of sponsorship from Lilongwe Diary, the team has been surviving on handouts and resources from head coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa and other well-wishers.
According to Chawinga- Kaluwa, the side will disband anytime following deep-rooted financial woos that have crippled the team, leading to two losses in three matches in the FDH Bank Premier Netball League.
“We are currently navigating turbulent times, with a crippling lack of sponsorship severely impacting our performance. The struggle to cover operational costs has forced us to compromise on training, undermining our competitiveness,” she said.
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Currently, Tigresses are on position seven with two points on the 12-member log table, having won once, defeating Mafco 60-37, and lost twice to Prison Sisters 43-44 and Civonets 36-42.
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Chawinga-Kaluwa admitted that Tigresses were struggling to sign top players or keep stars.
“Attracting and retaining top talent has become a daunting task, further exacerbating the situation. The financial strain is starkly evident in our weekly expenses, with transport costs alone totalling a staggering K350,000 per week—a burden that threatens to derail our entire season.
“If urgent support is not forthcoming, we fear that we will be left with no choice but to disband the team, bringing an end to a legacy of netball excellence and crushing the aspirations of our talented players,” she said.
Chawinga-Kaluwa, who is one of the co-coaches for the Malawi National Netball Team, called for support from well-wishers.
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“We are open to any form of support and invite individuals, organisations or businesses to contribute towards our operational costs, whether big or small, to help us stay afloat and continue promoting women’s netball in Malawi. Every donation counts,” Chawinga-Kaluwa said.
Meanwhile, Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) General Secretary Yamikani Khungwa- Kauma has pleaded with the corporate world to bail out the team, which, she said, had immensely contributed players to the national team over the years.
“We are so saddened but the current situation of Tigresses, who have been, and still remain, an integral part of the biggest netball family in the country. It is our hope that their situation will change,” Khungwa-Kauma said.
Tigresses were founded in the early 1980s and boast numerous regional club championships, including the East and Central Africa Club Championship, Cosana title and Gauteng Invitational Club Championship.
