Malawi netball star vindicates Mwawi in protesting NAM ‘oppression’
Malawi Queens stay-away star Mwai Kumwenda has been vindicated in her protest against “oppression” of Rose Chinunda led Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) as goal-shooter Linda Magombo-Munthali has added her voice to reveal how players are suffering in silence.
Kumwenda, raised the issue defiantly when snubbed the national duty after claiming that it “pains” her that players are “suffering in silence for fear of being dropped from the squad.”
Meanwhile, it has emerged that NAM has created a system that cracks down on players who speak out; taking advantage of their desperation for national team call-ups that earn better at around K2 000 daily training allowance and for $50 (K24 000) daily foreign trip stipend compared to K50 000 ($100) monthly perks for clubs.
“The players have no other source of income, so they opt to suffer in silence fearing they will be dropped. When called up for the 2013 Africa Netball Championship, I told NAM that I first needed my 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games dues. I wrote the former Sports minister, Sports Council and the Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) on the same, but no one responded. I have never been called up again,” said Munthali as quoted by The Nation newspaper.
The paper which has carried fresh revealations quoted Munthali saying NAM official can even impose players on coaches “that is why they cannot hire someone like Peace [Chawinga Kalua] who stands her ground.”
“Players have nowhere to complain. Linda [Magombo] was dropped for fighting for the others and now it is Mwawi. The association puts its senior officials as team managers, who instead of relaying issues of players concerns, gag them right in camp. They are like spies as they report players as being trouble-makers,” the paper attributed this quote to unnamed senior player.
Chinunda has since shot down the claims, saying players “are at liberty to, as long as they have facts, even talk to reporters.”
It has been clear from recent games that Malawi Queens – world’s fifth-best netball team – is losing its spark.
The Queens are officially the most successful sporting team Malawi has ever produced.
amayi awa si ampira…ndiwosokoneza kwambiri…..komanso ndi ansanje…kodi ali ndi ana amenewa?
Some of these netball administrators have outlived and need to be replaced. Things are changing and we need new blood not old blood whose ideas are going down because of low IQ. REPLACE HER, the sooner the better. If players are liberty to express their ideas why do you drop them from squad?
very pathetic!
Ndi Momwe Moyo Ukhali Aaaaah, Its Part Of Life, Usalile Chondeeee Its Part Of Life.
Koma amayi amenewa.!!koma kunyasa nkhope kumeneko nankha ku ujeniko ndiye kuli bwanji!!!?mmmmmm!
There is no smoke without fire. This Chinunda need to be investigated by the responsible authorities and appropriate measures taken on her management style. It is better to lose her in the game than our pride we have at the moment of our best netballers. The best choice for her is to resign and not giving excuses here.
Management ya netball silibwino. I wonder the minister herself is not intervening on this matter. This will lead to the downfall of the malawi queens. What Mwawi is doing is right and excellent, nonse amene mukununyoza mwazi ndinu opusa kwambiri, infact kupusa to the maxmum, kusaphunzira mkomwe kukukupangitsani. Mwawi is there becoz of her hardworking spirit
Chinunda and her ring must be fired! Let all players who are owed speak with one voice – let everyone who is owed decline the next call up! Who do managers think themselves? Very sad! Well done Linda and Mwawi.
Don’t mess up the best Team Malawi has ever produced. Chinunda and your team plse look after the team well. We love you!
Basi tizingomva zonyasa za Chinunda kaya mukuti Linunda mwinanso kanunda?