Mwawi pleads for Tigresses inclusion

Malawi netball export Mwawi Kumwenda has pleaded with the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) to include Tigresses players in the national team that is in camp so as to have a strong team.

Tigresses players, including Queens regular stars vice-captain Grace Mwafulirwa-Mhango, Sindi Simutowe, Beatrice Kadango and Laureen Ngwira, were last week left out of the squad which is preparing for the Test Series matches in Australia and the Fast5 World Netball Series in New Zealand this October.

This followed the Tigresses’ involvement in scuffles that ensued during the Presidential Netball Championships in Lilongwe when they protested their disqualification after one of their players failed a pregnancy test.

Mwawi, who joined the camp on Monday, said national interests should prevail over personal grudges if Queens are to perform well at international competitions.

“It is not good for the entire nation to suffer just because of some personal differences. The sidelining of the Tigresses players will definitely kill the Malawi Queens’ pride on the international stage,” she said.

But NAM president Rosy Chinunda said they have not completely shut the door on Tigresses. She said a meeting between NAM and government officials will determine the final resolution on the matter.