By Burnett Munthali
The inaugural FDH Premier Netball League throws off at the Blantyre Sports Arena tomorrow, marking a new era in the game.
This first-ever elite netball league in the country will see 12 teams contest for the title, with the bottom three sides at the end of the season being relegated to the division leagues.
FDH Bank Marketing Manager, Tiyese Kaimila, said events to launch the league will start with a street parade from FDH Bank Head Office in the heart of Blantyre to Blantyre Sports Arena.
Proceedings at the Arena will begin with an exhibition match between the Malawi Queens Legends and FDH Queens.
Then, the main action will follow with Lilongwe-based Vanessa Sisters and Blantyre Pacers taking to the court in the opening game of the league.
This will be followed by a highly anticipated clash between Tigresses and Lilongwe’s Civo Nets.
“We are very excited to see this journey begin. You know FDH Bank believes in sports investments. We sponsor the Mayor’s Trophy at the grassroots level. Then we bankroll the Malawi Schools Sports Association (MASSA) at youth level and now at elite level. At elite level here, we are with the premier netball league,” said Kaimila.
The league’s organising committee chairperson, Linda Magombo-Munthali, said all is set for the games.
She revealed that her committee has produced fixtures for the whole season.
The league is this season running on a K300 million budget, but FDH Bank has already committed to a three-year sponsorship.
Concluding Analysis
The launch of the FDH Premier Netball League marks a transformative step for netball in Malawi, moving the sport into a structured, professional, and competitive elite environment.
By introducing promotion and relegation, the league ensures both excitement for fans and accountability for teams, while also providing a clear pathway for player development from grassroots to elite level.
FDH Bank’s strategic investment across all levels of sport—from primary school competitions to national leagues—demonstrates a long-term vision for talent nurturing and sports growth.
If executed well, the league could not only elevate the standard of play locally but also strengthen Malawi’s international netball reputation, ensuring the country remains a powerhouse on the global stage.
