Malawi Queens withdraw 2015 African Netball Championship participation

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has confirmed the withdraw of the Malawi National Senior Netball team “The Queens” participation at the African Netball Championship slated to get underway this coming Sunday 28th June, 2015.

NAM General Secretary attributed the withdrawal to among other things shortage of funds.

The Queens who participated at the Diamond Netball Challenge in South Africa recently were supposed to go straight into camp upon return and proceed to the African Netball Championship which was initially supposed to take place in Namibia before being shifted to Botswana.

The Diamond Challenge preparations were funded by Airtel Malawi Limited to the tune of K10 Million and according to NAM General Secretary Carol Bapu, other requirements like accommodation, air tickets and food were provided by the host nation-South Africa Netball Association.

Bapu said chances are very slim that the number one sponsor which is the Malawi government will be able to release funding for the trip before Saturday this week.

“We have been talking to the government and at the moment, we are not sure if we will have the money by Saturday” said Bapu.

Bapu said her association needs about K40 million to enable the Queens travel to Botswana.

Meanwhile, Bapu said they will as of now concentrate much on the fourth coming World Netball Championship and the team will start its preparations early July.