Queens back to business
Malawi Queens have regrouped at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe in preparation for the Netball World Cup after a week’s delay which has forced the national netball team stand-in coach Samuel Kanyenda to intensify the daily training sessions from two to three.
Foreign-based players have started arriving with New Zealand-based shooter Joyce Mvula-Nyirenda the first to arrive yesterday while United Kingdom-based defender Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda and captain Carol Mtukule-Ngwira are expected in today.
However, Australia-based shooter Mwawi Kumwenda-Mbwana will join the squad in South Africa, as she is currently tied up with club commitments at Melbourne Vixens.
In an interview yesterday, Kanyenda, who is also Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) technical director, said he has increased the number of sessions to help the foreign-based players to catch up with their local counterparts ahead of the tournament to be held in Cape Town, South Africa at the end of this month.
He said: “There are a number of important areas that the players have to fine-tune before we leave for the World Cup. However, due to the delays as regards to camping, we have decided to add an extra training session per day. Previously, we planned to train early in the morning and at noon, but now, we also have to do it in the afternoon.”
The Queens’ delayed to regroup due to the Malawi National Council of Sports’ delays to release funding for camping.
However, the netball team’s official sponsor FDH Bank plc released K94 million to facilitate the Queens’ participation.
Kanyenda said the delay affected his plans since the professionals and the local-based players need ample time to gel and build cohesion as the 15-player final squad focuses on important aspects of the game, including endurance.
On her part, Mtukule-Ngwira said they will do their best to do well at the global show-piece, where they are challenged to not only beat higher-ranked teams but also avoid any slip-up against fast-improving lower-ranked teams such as Tonga.
Seventh-ranked Tonga have reduced the gap from 10 rating points to just one following their unbeaten run at the recent PacificAus Netball Series in Australia in World Netball Rankings released at the weekend.
“We have a big challenge ahead and we must fight for the pride of our nation. If we do everything according to plan, we can achieve success,” she said.
NAM general secretary Isaac Chimwala said the Queens will not break camp until they depart for South Africa on July 21.
Before the World Cup, the Queens will also face World champions New Zealand in tune-up games and host Zimbabwe in another friendly match.
The Queens are in Group B alongside third-ranked England, 10th-placed Scotland and 14th-ranked Barbados.
