Saenda returns as queens coach
Griffin ‘Zagallo’ Saenda believes his return as national netball team coach will help bring back the days when the now battered-and-bruised Malawi Queens basked in the global limelight as a force to reckon with.
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) yesterday confirmed to have offered the Kukoma Diamonds mentor a three-month contract alongside Blue Eagles Sisters coach Samuel Kanyenda as assistant coach.
Saenda’s appointment ends months of speculation over who would take over the mantle following the expiry of Peace Chawinga-Kalua’s one-year contract.
Asked how he felt about his appointment, Saenda said: “I have no special feelings; it is normal [because] I was once in charge of this team and took it to all places. It’s a national task and I can’t say no. It is my responsibility as a citizen of this country.
“Obviously, there will be some sort of pressure due to expectations, but I will handle that having been in a similar situation before. Having said that, I will need the support of everyone—the players, my backroom staff, officials and the fans— for us to succeed. It will not be a one man’s job.”
The coach, whose immediate task will be the Fast5 World Netball Series in Australia next month, said his priority is to get the Queens back into the world’s top five.
“It is not going to be easy, but I am confident that we can achieve that. In fact, it pains me that they [Queens] are now number six in the world when I guided them into the top five. So, our ultimate goal should be to realise our dream of breaking into the top four.”
NAM president Rosy Chinunda said they settled for Saenda owing to his experience and maturity.
“We felt his experience is vital looking at his track record and we needed someone more mature,” she said.
Asked how they will handle International Netball Federation’s (INF) recommendation that associations should prioritise hiring of female national team coaches, Chinunda said: “There is indeed that obstacle, but we will justify our move considering the situation that we find ourselves in.”
Saenda was reassigned the position of NAM technical director in 2013 following the recommendation from INF on female coaches.
He basks in the glory of being one of the most successful Queens’ coaches having guided them to top five finish in world tournaments twice. Under his tutelage, the Queens also won the regional Council of Southern Africa Netball Associations (Cosana) Championship a couple of times. n
