Queens’budget hits K700m
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has presented a K700 million budget to the Malawi National Council of Sports for the Queens and Junior Queens commitments this year.
NAM general secretary (GS) Yamikani Kauma yesterday said the Queens are expected to compete in the African Netball Championship, the Spar Test Series against hosts South Africa and the Quad Series Tournament, which will include higher-ranked hosts England, South Africa and Uganda.
On the other hand, the Junior Queens are expected to step up preparations for the 2025 World Netball Youth Championship in Gibraltar.
Last year, government allocated K300 million to the association for Queens’ engagements, including the Netball World Cup in South Africa despite NAM presenting a K1.3 billion budget. They also got K100 million annual package from the team’s sponsors FDH Bank plc.
On what NAM will do to raise the shortfall in case their financiers are unable to meet the required budget, Kauma said the association has planned some fundraising activities.
“We are working on fundraising initiatives in the next few months so that we complement government in ensuring good preparations for our teams as we rebuild the Queens and ensure strong preparations for the Under-21 team,” she said.
The senior and junior national teams’ activities will start with a four-week local camping this month in preparation for the Spar Test series in South Africa between October 26 and November 3. The camping is estimated to cost K45 million.
Kauma said local camping and international expenditures for the two national teams amount to K286 million.
She said the tentative budget for camping and external travels for the Cosana Tournament, whose dates are yet to be announced and is expected to include a men’s national team, is in excess of K200 million.
Kauma said the African Netball Championship, which will be held between between December 1 and 7 at a yet to be disclosed venue, and the Quad Series in England between February 1 and 9 2025, will as well require funding.
Sports Council chief executive officer Henry Kamata said they are aware of the Queens’ budget and that government will do its best to provide support.
“NAM wrote to us about their plans. However, we referred the matter to the central government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and we are waiting for the response,” he said.
Nevertheless, he warned NAM against getting the national teams into camp before funding is available, saying that would be in conflict with government’s policy.
