Malawi Under-23 National Netball Team has emerged as favourites in the South Africa Telkom Netball League Division Two, but despite their dominant performances they cannot be crowned champions because they are participating as guests, Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has confirmed.
The Queens Cubs have won five out of six matches as of yesterday when they defeated Diamonds 76-26.
Before that victory, they had defeated defending champions Kingdom Queens 53-44 in their opening match before registering wins over Baobabs 72-38, Sonoblomo 47-34 and Sunbirds 58-39.
The team’s only defeat came on April 27 against current Division Two leaders Tornados, who edged Malawi 48-43.
The performance places Malawi among the top three teams in the competition and within touching distance of the top of the standings if they defeat Tshukudu today and Lilies tomorrow.
Victories in both matches, coupled with Tornados dropping points, could see Malawi finishing at the summit of the table.
However, tournament regulations prevent guest teams from officially winning the title regardless of their position on the log table.
NAM general secretary Yamikani Khungwa Kauma in an interview yesterday confirmed that even if Malawi finishes the competition at the summit of the table, the championship would still be awarded to the highest-placed South African team.
She said: “Malawi Queens Cubs are not participating as a regular league team, but as an invitational side together with Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Eagles.
“Because of that, the results may be recorded, but they are not included in the official results and log table.”
Kauma said the Queens Cubs, who are making their debut at the competition, are using the tournament to expose up and coming talent.
“We are developing the squad so that we can have a pool of players to beef up the senior national netball team, the Queens,” she said.
Queens Cubs head Joana Kachilika said the players will come out of the tournament with valuable exposure.
South Africa national netball team head coach Jenny van Dyk, in an interview with Sabc Sport, also said the inclusion of Malawi Queens Cubs and Zimbabwean side as guest teams will make the league more competitive.
“It is important for South Africa to assist our sisters out there and help all the other African countries to develop their netball.
“But secondly, you know for our players to get opportunities to play against different styles of netball, is also crucial for us,” she said.
