No queens camp

Malawi Queens’ preparations for 2023 Netball World Cup are in limbo following government’s delays in funding the national team barely two months before the global showpiece throws off in Cape Town, South Africa.

Malawi National Council of Sports board chairperson Sunduzwayo Madise in an interview yesterday said the Queens would start the preparations once the funding is available.

“Of course, we don’t have money now, but we will get it from somewhere so as to support our dear Queens.

“However, we don’t want to rush as we want to first ensure that the places for camping and all the logistics are properly arranged,” he said.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) promised to get the Malawi National Netball Team in camp by May 14, but Madise added that the Queens will get into camp once they come up with a comprehensive strategy on how the Queens should prepare for the global showpiece.

When put to him that the camping delays might be costly for the Queens, considering that all their opponents have already intensified preparations, Madise said there is no need for long camping.

He said: “There is no need for longer camping periods as if we are starting a new team and we are teaching the players how to play netball.”

But Malawi Queens overseas-based professionals differed with Madise

Queens captain and defender Carol Mtukule-Ngwira,  goalkeeper Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda and shooter Mwawi Kumwenda-Mbwana said they believe the world’s sixth-ranked team cannot improve its performance unless they prepare thoroughly for major competitions.

Mtukule Ngwira, who joined United Kingdom (UK) top-league side Team Bath early this year, said the Queens need time to study their opponents’ tactics.

Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda, who plays for another UK League side Strathclyde Sirens, and Kumwenda-Mbwana, who plays for Australian giant Melbourne Vixens, concurred with Mtukule-Ngwira that the modern game is more tactical than physical.

Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda explained: “As Queens, we have been doing the same things for a long time while our friends are mordenising their tactical approach to the game.

“We need to start doing things differently to cope with the increasing pressure from our opponents.”

On her part, Kumwenda-Mbwana said the need for authorities to invest more on video and performance analysts in the national team is urgent.

Queens coach Peace Chawinga-Kalua said inadequate resources, including personnel have always been a big setback.

She said: “It is indeed a must to change the way we do things ahead of big tournaments but with limited resources and personnel, that is difficult.

“In this era, we need video and performance analysts and we are supposed to get into the gym more often to improve our tune-ups.

“However, when we complain about such, we do not get a positive response.

“Of course, sometimes we improvise by following our opponents’ performance through a few video clips we get hold of but that is not enough.

“It is also worrisome to note that our girls hardly get into the gym as authorities hardly pay for that.

“How can the girls be physically fit when they access gym once in a week when in camp?”

Chawinga-Kaluwa said that it is sad that there is big of expectation on the Queens’ performance yet little is invested in the national netball team.

NAM general secretary Isaac Chimwala said while they are aware of the Queens’ shortfalls, their hands are sometimes tied due to financial constraints.

He said, in the meantime, they are waiting for the Sports Council to approve the Queens budget and that is what is delaying the camping resumption.

Before the world cup, the Queens are expected to play against the champions New Zealand and Zimbabwe in tune-up friendly games.

At the global fiesta, which will take place on African soil for the first time, Queens are in Group B alongside third-ranked England, 10th-placed Scotland and 14th-ranked Barbados.

Group A has Australia, Zimbabwe, Fiji and Tonga while hosts South Africa will take on Jamaica, Wales and Sri Lanka in Group C.

New Zealand carry Group D, which has Uganda, Singapore and Trinidad & Tobago.