Mvula says Queens lack ample support
Malawi National Netball Team goal shooter Joyce Mvula has pleaded for adequate funding for the Queens if they are to reclaim their lost glory.
The England-based netball star made the plea in an interview in Lilongwe on Saturday.
She admitted that the team’s performance has gone down in the recent past, attributing it to lack of adequate preparations.
The Leeds Rhinos player said the team used to do well previously because it had enough time for preparations unlike now when they only camp for a short period.
“When I was first called into camp in 2010, we used to be in camp for two months when preparing for big tournaments.” Mvula recalled.
She said teams like England, New Zealand, Jamaica and Australia have already started preparing for 2025 Commonwealth Games and 2026 Netball World Cup.
Mvula said: “Look at the seriousness of the teams that we play with. If we are to progress, we need to emulate what our friends are doing and then we will be at par with them.
“Netball Association of Malawi, through Malawi National Sports Council, needs to support the Queens technically and financially.”
She believes that, “In camp make the players happy and happy players win games always.”
Sports Council spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa asked for more time to consult before he could comment
Former Queens captain Emmie Chongwe attributed the Queens’ lost glory to delays in injecting new blood into the team. “We are taking long to replace our aging players as result, we are being caught up. We need to have a fine succession plan and more days of camping in order to develop our play. We have talent and the only way we can nurture it is to scout it,” she said.
