Not at peace
Malawi Queens coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa says the nation should not expect miracles at the forthcoming PacificAus Netball Series in Australia due to several obstacles, including the national netball team’s disjointed preparations.
She said this in an interview yesterday before the team’s departure for the tournament which will run from April 24 to 29.
Chawinga-Kaluwa said: “The preparatios had ups and downs. It is my prayer that we step up and learn to do things the proper way when preparing for such big tournaments in terms of logistics and the actual preparations.
“Otherwise, we should not expect miracles.”
The local netball legend also expressed surprise with the absence of Australia-based goal shooter Mwawi Kumwenda on the final list released by the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) on Tuesday.
She said: “The list I prepared had 15 players, including Mwawi and, therefore, NAM would be better placed to explain.”
Chawinga-Kaluwa said she would not have included the Melbourne Vixens goal shooter if her availability was in doubt.
Her comments came a day after she told The Nation that she could not comment on both the team’s preparations and unavailability of professional players as there were “some internal issues that needed to be sorted out”.
In a separate interview, NAM vice-president Chimwemwe Bakali, who is also the association’s spokesperson, admitted that the preparations were shoddy.
He said: “Indeed, we have not prepared well as we should.
“During the initial camping we only had about 10 days instead of 14 and in the second camping, we only had a week instead of two weeks which translates to 50 percent and that is not good enough.
“But all this was due to lack of funding.”
On Mwawi’s absence, the NAM veep said: “We got a response from her club that she would not be available due to club commitments, but they hinted at her availability in the last few games.
“So, if the slim chance materialises, then she can be drafted in.”
Malawi National Council of Sports spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa said the Queens’ delayed camping because they have not yet received funding from government.
