NAM-gate! Malawi Queens allowances stand-off, Africa Netball Championship withdraw raises questions

Netball Association of Malawi ( NAM) is yet to pay about K560,000 to Malawi Queens players for their game allowances during the just ended Diamonds Challenge Netball Tournament, which took place in South Africa.

The Queens, which finished second during the tournament and received K10 million from their sponsors Airtel Malawi before their departure for the tournament.

Nam general secretary, Carol Bapu told the media that they used the K10 million for camping and training allowance when they were preparing for the Diamonds.

According to Nyasa Times investigations, the Queens stayed for eight days in camp and they were being accommodated at Oasis Executive Hotel in Limbe.

They checked in on June 6 and checked out on June 13.

The tam booked 12 rooms for 19 players, two coaches, team manager and team doctor.

The two coaches Peace Kaluwa and Mary Waya were sharing an Executive Room which costs K20,500, while the team manager and team doctor had a room each at the same prize.

The 19 players were booked 9 rooms, with two players sharing a room, except the three players, who were sleeping in one room.

The players rooms were Standard rooms at the price of K15,000. The whole costs for accommodation at this Hotel is K1, 572 000.00.

The 19 players were also paid K15,000 each as training allowance for the eight days in camp. The whole amount on the players training allowance was K285,000, while the two coaches, team doctor and team manager were paid K28,000 as an allowance. This means that NAM spend K112,000 for the allowances.

In total, for accommodation, training allowances, fuel and food approximately Nam only spend close to K3 million out of the K10 million which they were given by Airtel Malawi.

NAM general secretary Bapu said for the actual Diamonds tournament, the air tickets, accommodation, food and allowances in South African were paid by that country’s netball Association.

Some players confirmed with Nyasa Times on Friday they are being frustrated as NAM is yet to give them their allowances for winning two matches against Uganda and Zambia.

One player said for winning a match they are given K20,000, meaning each player is supposed to receive K40, 000 for two wins.

Meanwhile, despite NAM announcing that the Malawi Queens will not participate in this year’s African Netball Championship which throw off this coming sunday,28th June in Botswana, they are yet to officially communicate to the organisers on their withdraw and they risk fine.

Speaking to Nyasa Times from Botswana, African Netball Associations president Tebogo Lebotse Sebego said Malawi was yet to officially communicate to them that they have failed to participate in this year’s competition.

Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Tanzania and hosts Botswana had previously confirmed their participation.

LebotseSebogo said they expect Malawi to take part in the tournament as they confirmed their partipation before the tournament was shifted from
Namibia to Botswana.

“Malawi had confirmed for the games for Namibia. Our expectation is that even though the games have been moved to Botswana they would
still come,” she said.

She however said its only South Africa who communicated to them that they will not participate in this year’s tournament.

Lebotse Sebogo said apart from Malawi losing to South Africa their current ranking as top team in Africa, it risk being fined for failing to take part in the tournament as the Committee will meet and discuss their fate on Saturday.

“As a committee will sit down and discuss what action to take against Malawi for failing to show up to the tournament on Saturday,”said
Lebotse Sebogo.

Africa Netball (AN) will stage its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections during the championship.

Lebotse Sebgo who is the first African President from 2010 has confirmed that she will seek re-election.–Additional reporting by Mphatso Nkhoma, Nyasa Times

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