Saenda grabs MBC Innovator of Innovators Award
Malawi Queens coach Griffin ‘Zagalo’ Saenda on Friday evening emerged as overall winner of the 2016 Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Innovations Awards at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
The veteran netball coach earned the special recognition for his achievements at recent Fast5 World Netball Series in Australia, where he guided the national netball team to a historical bronze win and for helping Kukoma Diamonds sweep all trophies in national competitions such as the Airtel Money Tournament and the Presidential Championships.
“I am very thankful that people have appreciated my job,” Saenda said in an interview yesterday.
For being innovator-of-innovators, he received a K2 million cheque from President Peter Mutharika. He also received an additional K1 million and won an all-expenses-paid-for trip to China for a month-long sojourn, courtesy of the Chinese government.
To be named overall winner or innovator-of-innovators during a colourful ceremony graced by Mutharika, Saenda rose above other category winners in health, education and science after taking glory in the sports section.
It was, however, interesting that he had to compete against his grandson and Junior Flames talisman Peter Banda for the sports category accolade.
Banda, son to Saenda’s daughter and former Flames player the late Chikondi Banda, was nominated in the sports category for helping the Malawi Under-17 national football team win bronze at the recent Cosafa Under-17 Championship in Mauritius where he took the golden boot with five goals.
On beating his grandson for the sports category award, Saenda jokingly said: “He is still a young man; he cannot compete against me.”
On his part, Banda congratulated his grandfather, saying: “His success is a victory for the entire Saenda family and I am happy for it.”
Netball Association of Malawi president Rosy Chinunda described Saenda’s achievement as a great victory for Malawi netball.
“We are happy that people are able to see and follow the progress of netball in the country. Previously, only athletes were recognised,” Chinunda said. n
