NAM recalls Tigresses stars
Complex Tigresses are jubilant following the recall of their players into the Queens squad that starts camp training at Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC) ahead of the Commonwealth Games in July.
Tigresses team manager Helene Mpinganjira said yesterday they have received with excitement news that Sindi Simtowe, Laureen Ngwira, Beatrice Mpinganjira and Grace Mwafulirwa-Mhango are among 17 players that have been called for national duty.
According to Queens coach Mary Waya, the other players that have made it into the squad are Caroline Mtukule-Ngwira, Towera Vinkhumbo and Bridget Kumwenda (Diamonds); Takondwa Lwazi, Joyce Mvula, Cecilia Mtukule and Maggie Sikwese (Blue Eagles Sisters); Joana Kachilika and Thandie Mwale (MTL Queens); Jane Chimaliro and Tina Kamzati (Civonets) and professional star Mwawi Kumwenda who plays for Tactix in New Zealand.
“Honestly, we are grateful for this. We always strive for our players to be at the top of netball in the country and we are relieved that they are back in the squad. We are confident that they will deliver at the international games,” said Mpinganjira.
The Tigresses players were dropped from last year’s squad that took part in the Fast5 World Netball Series in Auckland, New Zealand because their team protested its disqualification from the 2013 Presidential Championships.
The saga started after NAM took Ngwira for a pregnancy test which the association claimed tested positive. NAM subsequently disqualified Tigresses for featuring Ngwira.
However, Ngwira later tested negative to the test conducted at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. By then, the Queens had already left for the Fast5 Series where they maintained their fifth position in the world.
Netball analysts and supporters condemned NAM’s ban of the players from the squad, saying it negatively impacted on the team’s performance in New Zealand.
In an interview yesterday, Ngwira said what happened is now water under the bridge; otherwise, she will focus her energy on fighting for a place in the final squad of 12 players.
