NAM admits Malawi Queens slump in form at World Fast5
The Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) says national netball team popularly known as Airtel Money Queens must pull up socks if the team is to maintain its status as one of the best teams in the world.
Nam president Rose Chinunda told journalists in Lilongwe on Tuesday on arrival from New Zealand where the team had a disappointing Fast5 world netball series.
The Queens finished on position five only managing two victories against England and Fiji but losing three matches against continental rivals South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Chinunda said that the team has learn lessons in New Zealand that other netball giants are too strong hence the queens must be cautious in future tournaments.
“We have learn a lot of lessons but one thing is that majority of the teams were better than us during the tournament. We need to improve to be in the same level with other teams” she said.
She also said “It was painful to lose again to South Africa; they are giving us tough time now days and we need to work on that”.
However, Chinunda refused to draw conclusion that the absence of three key players for the queens affected the team’s performance saying the other players did a good job.
“We had other equally good players who performed well at the tournament” added Chinunda.
In a separate interview, a visibly emotional coach, Griffin Saenda said the team played well but lucky was not on their side.
“We were playing at our best but we were just unfortunate not to beat some of the teams,” said Saenda.
Airtel Malawi, customer services director, Sibusiso Nyirenda who welcomed the Queens said despite failing to break into top the company is impressed with the team performance.
“It is our hope that there is always next time and the team will do well in future competitions. We will continue to encourage them to fight hard until they reach where all Malawians will be happy,” she added.
Before going to New Zealand the team played four strength testing matches against Australia and Newzealand in which they lost all the games.
