Netball gets sweetened

Salima Sugar Company Limited has doubled sponsorship of the National Netball League to K80 million, heightening excitement among among the netball fraternity.

The 100 percent hike comes after some teams complained over last year’s prizes which saw the national champions Blue Eagles Sisters carting home K2 million.

In an interview yesterday, Salima Sugar Company board chairperson Wester Kosamu said the hike represents the progress

they have made as a company.

He said: “The gains we are making as a company and how well our product is doing on the market has led to the increase.

“We are selling like hot cakes. The more we increase sponsorship, the more we expect to do well on the market. So, by doubling the sponsorship, we are celebrating the position of the company.”

Kosamu said their expectation is that the increased sponsorship should translate to improved standards of netball.

“We are result-oriented and our expectations are that more talent will be tapped to build a strong and vibrant national team so that they can raise the national flag higher,” he said.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary Yamikani Kauma said they are excited with the hike in the sponsorship package.

“It’s good news for the netball fraternity because the increase will motivate the teams and the players alike,” she said.

Kauma also said they will maintain the format of the competition which starts at district level, then regional all the way to the national level.

On whether the new package is satisfactory, she said: “It is. Last year it was K40 million and double the amount is enough.”

However, Kauma also said they were yet to revise the prizes.

Kukoma Diamonds team manager Sellah Mwafulirwa-Ligowe said they are happy with the new package.

She said: “It will make a big difference and the players will be motivated, leading to a competitive tournament. This will also help improve the performance of the national team.”

Last year, some teams complained that what they got as prizes was far less than what they spent on logistics such as transport, preparations, food and accommodation.

The runners-up got K1.75 million while third and fourth-placed teams got K1.5 million and K1 million, respectively.

Blue Eagles Sisters beat their reserve side in the final.

Eight other teams that qualified for the national finals got K500 000 each.

At district level, the champions carted home K150 000 each while at regional level, the winners got K300 000.