Matiya quits SRNL, mum on NAM elections
After six years at the helm of the Southern Region Netball League (SRNL), Khungekile Matiya has said she will not seek re-election in polls she could go unopposed in April this year.
SRNL is the Malawi’s oldest and biggest regional netball league.
Matiya says she has done her part and would like to pave the way for new blood.
“It is not good to stay at one place for a long time as one runs out of ideas. Let new leaders, with fresh ideologies, come to take leadership of this league. I wish them all the best. Let them grow the league, and not let it down. Personally, I believe I did a good job.
“My biggest achievement was the consistency in sponsorship throughout my tenure. We never had a season without a sponsor,” she said.
When she came in, the league had lost the Candlex League sponsorship, but she single-handedly secured another one from Real Insurance.
After Real Insurance pulled out, her committee acted swiftly to secure a three-year deal with OG Issa which came to an end on Wednesday, with bankrolling the league.
“I also introduced the junior league comprising up-and-coming teams within Blantyre and the surrounding districts. My committee also becomes the first to introduce a permanent secretariat with the mother body, NAM, following later.
“We also secured sponsorships for cup bonanzas such as the Women’s Voice, Candlex and most recently, Rainbow Paints,” she said.
Matiya singled out failure to sustain the junior league as her main setback.
Although she was non-committal in an interview on Thursday, Matiya is reportedly eyeing the NAM presidency during elections scheduled for next month in Mzuzu.
She failed to secure the seat three years ago.
“I will still be around to help develop the game from the grass roots. On the NAM issue, you will hear my position soon,” she said.
SRNL general secretary Anne Hanjahanja said the league will miss Matiya whom she described as the best ever leader of the league.
