NAM, Peace part ways

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) and  Queens coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa have parted ways and the association says it will advertise the job.

The association’s general secretary Isaac Chimwala confirmed the development in an interview yesterday.

He said the association’s stance remains that it does not have a contract with Chawinga-Kaluwa.

NAM, according to Chimwala will embark on a permanent coach recruitment exercise soon.

He said: “You will recall that government gave us a go-ahead to recuit a permanent coach.

“This is what is going to happen. We will advertise for the position to invite applications both within and outside the country.”

Ironically, Chawinga-Kaluwa claims to have extended her contract for the next five years, through NAM vice-president Chimwemwe Bakali who resigned last month.

But Chimwala insists there was no offer letter for contract extension for the coach.

In an interview, yesterday, Chawinga-Kaluwa, who was appointed Queens coach in 2021, said she was aware of what is happening, but needed to consult her lawyers.

“Only God knows what is happening. However, let me talk to my lawyers before making any comment,” she said.

The development comes barely two months before the Queens compete at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.

However, Chimwala said this will not affect the team’s preparations.

“We have the technical team comprising technical director and assistant coaches,” he said.

But Queens legend Annie-Mopiha believes the eleventh hour change of the technical panel will heavily affect  the Queens, who yet to camp for the tournament.

“It could be better to let Chawinga-Kaluwa complete the World Netball Cup journey because it will be absurd to have a new coach with only  two months before the global showpiece,” she said.

At the Netball World Cup, the Queens are expected to up their game after recently facing defeats by lower-ranked Tonga and Zambia during the PacificAus Netball Series where they finished as runners-up.

They are also expected to play the reigning world champions New Zealand and Zimbabwe in strength-testing matches.

For the last decade, the Queens have been struggling against lower-ranked teams.

In April, the Queens under Chawinga-Kaluwa, finished as runners-up to Tonga at the PacificAus Netball Series in Australia.

During her reign as Queens coach Chawinga-Kaluwa won the Cosana Tri-Nation Netball Series which Malawi hosted last year.