Malawi Govt nods to full-time netball coach request

Malawi Government has finally nodded to NAM’s long time request to engage a full-time national netball coach.

Youth and Sports Minister Enoch Chihana disclosed this when he visited the Queens training at Blantyre Youth Centre on Wednesday.

Chihana said, currently, his ministry is doing the paperwork and before the end of the year, a full-time coach will be appointed.

“We have appreciated that the request is genuine and important. The sport has done quite well with temporary coaches and we feel we can achieve more if we have a permanent coach,” said Chihana

While saying the job will be advertised in a follow-up interview on Thursday, in an interview when he visited the Queens, Chihana favoured caretaker coach Griffin Saenda to take the post.

“I have already made a directive in my ministry to do the paperwork and very soon he [Griffin Saenda] should be appointed as the permanent coach,” said Chihana.

But on Thursday, the minister changed his tune and said: “The issue is about the national coach and not just Saenda. The post will be advertised and proper procedures, as required by government recruitment protocol, will be followed. It is not that he will get the post straight away.”

Chihana also said the Queens will now be offered the same incentives as the Flames.

“The Queens have done well and are currently getting our attention just like football. At the moment, we are working on their allowances that they should be at par with the Flames,” he said.

Currently, the Queens receive K20 000 as game bonus for a win per game, which is K10 000 less than the Flames. They also get K1 000 daily training allowance, which is half of what the Flames receive. They only equal on external travel allowance as they all get $50 (K16 000 a day).

Chihana wished the team all the best as they travel to New Zealand next week for the Fast5 Tournament saying it is the nation’s hope that they will break into the top four world rankings.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary Helene Mpinganjira was grateful for the minister’s pledges.

“A permanent coach is vital to the development of the game as he or she will be involved in the grass roots and talent identification programmes which the current caretaker coach cannot do,” said Mpinganjira.

She also said improved incentives will motivate the team to work hard and improve its world rankings.

Saenda could not be reached for comment whether he is available to take the post permanently. He currently coaches Escom Sisters alongside his duties as regional sports officer for the South.