Mwawi ‘thinking’ of quitting Malawi Queens: Demand NAM to pay players

Malawi’s only professional netball player, Mwawi Kumwenda who play in New Zealand has vowed never to play for the country’s national team if the Netball Association of Malawi  (NAM) won’t settle the allowances the body owes them players  from 2012.

The star shooter in an exclusive interview with Nyasa Times in Blantyre, said  she is not going to join Malawi Queens training  camp in preparations for the three-match test series  in England next month.

She said  association needs to settle their allowances  as the players are demotivated, saying failure to honour that will not attack her to play.

“No money, no camp, ma player sizitsulo kapena makasu kuti azingotiseweretsa mpira osamatipatsa ndalama zathu, atipatse ndalama zathu kaye ndiye ndipita otherwise ayiwale [ players are not slaves. We need to be paid our due allowances. No pay, no play for me],” said Mwawi.

The shooter said she was speaking on behalf of other players who she claimed have been muted due to intimidation that those who  voice out will be dropped from camp.

“I would rather NAM pay the rest of the players and exclude me. I will go and play but if the players are not given their allowances I will not go and play because they will not give in their best,” she added.

Mwawi excused herself from the Fast5 Netball Series in New Zealand a fortnight ago, saying it coincided with her trip to South Africa for dental surgery.

The New Zealand Easiyo Tactix club player said although she was in the country at the time of the Fast5 tournament, she travelled and spent six days in South Africa prior to the competition.