Officials from the world netball governing body the International Netball Federation (INF) were expected in the country on Wednesday ahead of the 2013 African Netball Championship.

The biggest continental netball showpiece throws off next Monday at Blantyre Youth Centre.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president Rosy Chinunda confirmed on Tuesday about the expected arrival of INF regional development officer Joana Smit and her team of Liz Broomhead and Anita Nevine.

Broomhead and Nevine are from the England Netball Association and serve in INF.

They arrive amid concerns of delayed funding reports that have dogged preparations for the championship.

But Chinunda insisted that the event will go ahead.

“Teams will be responsible for paying their own accommodation while we take care of local transport and provision of water. We have only helped the teams with the bookings. We will also spend on the trophies,” Chinunda insisted.

Sports Council executive secretary George Jana on Tuesday reserved his comment on whether NAM is ready to host the event.

A few years ago, government expressed reservations with the way Athletics Association of Malawi hosted the Southern African Athletics Championship at Blantyre Youth Centre.

Meanwhile, Botswana, who failed to arrive on Tuesday, were expected on Wednesday amid reports that they had missed a flight.

Malawi the defending champions are yet to release their squad.