Rainbow Paints confirm netball series return
Rainbow Paints has confirmed the return of the Rainbow Paints Top Six Netball Series in the Southern Region Netball League (SRNL).
The company’s commercial manager Bruno Silas said yesterday all arrangements for the 2013 edition of the competition have been finalised and he disclosed that the sponsorship package has significantly improved from the inaugural K1 million (US$3,095).
“Netball continues to give pride to the nation and we can confirm our return this year,” said Silas.
With the fiasco of last year’s finals, fears were abound that the Rainbow Paints netball sponsorship would be a one-off event.
Bingu Tigresses boycotted the finals against Escom Sisters (now Diamonds Netball Club), protesting Sports Council’s refusal to release their defenders Laureen Ngwira and Cathy Ikwanga from the Zone VI camp for the match.
In an attempt to save their face in front of the sponsors, SRNL arranged a makeshift final between the Sisters and MTL Queens, who were supposed to meet Woget Stars in a third-place play off.
The Sisters won 27-11 to lift the trophy.
However, Silas said all that hullaballoo is now water under the bridge as they make a return.
“We are back with a better package, but we will disclose the sum when we launch the competition in the next few days. We are proud to be associated with netball in the country,” he said.
According to SRNL general secretary Annie Hanjahanja-Billie, they agreed with Rainbow Paints to launch this year’s edition at Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC) on August 20.
She said the competition’s format remains unchanged, meaning that the top-five in last year’s OG Issa Netball League win automatic qualification while the rest compete for the sixth slot.
The five teams are defending champions Escom Sisters (Diamonds), Tigresses, MTL Queens, Woget Stars and Glass Bank Sisters.
