We don’t want loss under new name—Saenda
Following the change of name from Escom Sisters to Diamonds Netball Club, coach Griffin ‘Zagalo’ Saenda declared on Wednesday that his team will never experience a loss in the K12 million (about $30 000) Gotv Netball Champions League that returns to action this weekend at the Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC).
Saenda, whose side was forced to change name after Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) stopped sponsoring the team last year, said they would like to set a record under the new name.
Before losing their two games against Blue Eagles and Bingu Tigresses in the first two rounds of the Gotv League in May, the team had suffered a single defeat in over three years. This happened after losing the Presidential Championship finals in Mzuzu last year.
“Forget about the past; we are now a new team with a new vision. Our focus is to win all our eight games that remain in the Gotv League and create a new profile with our new name,” said Saenda, while urging companies to come in and sponsor the team.
Diamonds will start their third-round games against MTL Queens on Saturday at 8.30am before facing Blue Eagles Sisters three hours later. On Sunday, they will be up against Civonets at 10am before tussling against rivals Tigresses at 2.30pm.
In other matches on Saturday, Tigressess will battle it out against Civonets before taking on Blue Eagles. The following day, MTL Queens will take on Blue Eagles before facing against the Tigresses. Thereafter, Lilongwe-based outfits Civonets and Blue Eagles will face off.
Currently, Diamonds top the log table with 12 points after winning six of their eight games in the first two rounds of the contest. Tigresses are second with 11 points while Blue Eagles Sisters are third with 10 points.
Nevertheless, MTL Queens are fourth on the ladder with five points. They won two games, drew once and lost once as well. Civonets anchor the table with two points after winning once and losing seven matches.
According to Multichoice Malawi marketing manager Chimwemwe Nyirenda, , the eventual champions will get a cool K1 million (about $2 500).
