General Secretary for Netball Association of Malawi (NAM), Yamikani Khungwa-Kauma, has expressed gratitude for the commencement of Salima Sugar National Netball League 2024 Season.
Salima Sugar National Netball League overall prize holds K60 million translating to 75 percent.
The champions will be rewarded with K6 million, runners up will walk away with K4 million, third place will go with K3 million and fourth place K2 million while the fifth placed team will get K800,000.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday at Blantyre Youth Centre, Kauma said the levels of competition by the teams in the league is progressing beyond their expectation, noting that teams were playing exceptional games.
“The competition so far is going on smoothly considering that we have many newly promoted teams at the district and national level which we didn’t even expect that they will qualify to this level but their hard working spirit shows that this season competition is very high,” said Kauma.
Kauma added that through the games played so far they have noticed a lot of upcoming netball talent which the country needs, expressing her impression over Salima Sugar Company for bringing the sport of netball in the limelight.
Salima Sugar National Netball League Finals is being hosted at porous asphalt surface of Blantyre Youth Centre and KUHeS from Friday to Sunday.
Pool A comprises Blue Eagles, Lioness, Civo, Pool B consists of Young Eagles, Prison, Giants NC, Pool C holds Kukoma Diamonds, Karonga, Airwing, Pool D holds Tigresses, Ekwendeni and Chilomoni.
Former Malawi Queens player, Betrice Mpinganjira, who graced the commencement of the league, told MANA that the new blood that has been promoted into the league shows energy which can withstand at Malawi Queens team and their commitment can change the netball sector.
“I have noticed a lot of players with good height and skills which can fit to play at National team. This league will help player scouting which will enhance build up of Queens team and their direct contributions to their teams will really improve netball,” said Mpinganjira.
Blantyre District Youth Officer, Peter Mizedya, commended Salima Sugar Company for the sponsorship, saying a lot of support has been going to the men’s side, so having Salima Sugar Company coming to support women in sports is a very positive development.
“Sports can unite, sports can bring peace. We can count on sports to improve our lives if we are going to take this serious. We have witnessed a very good competition whereby the defending champions lost, this means that netball can transform the game,” said Mizedya.
Some of the matches played at Blantyre Youth Centre include Giants Netball Club which suffered a narrow defeat against Young Eagles with 46-44 baskets, Blue Eagles Netball Club 44-33 victory over Lioness Netball Club whereby Lilongwe Derby ended with Civo Nets defeating arch rivals Blue Eagles 39-34 baskets
