A newly launched grouping of netball supporters has vowed to proceed with its operations despite not having the blessings of the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM).
On Saturday a group of netball supporters officially unveiled the group which they claim aims at improving the standards of netball in the country.
Among others in its mandate the group intends to be engaging Malawi National Netball Team players to be conducting netball clinics in secondary and Primary schools across the country.
The grouping also says it aims at ensuring that the welfare of netballers is improved and safeguarded in the country.
But this has not gone down well with the Netball Association of Malawi which is arguing that the grouping is interfering with the mandate of the Netball of Malawi.
In a voice recording message from NAM General Secretary Chimwemwe Bakali to the supporters Group General Secretary Chris Chimangeni which this publication is in custody of, Bakali advised the group not to proceed with the launch until it revised its mandate.
“I have received your invitation letter to the launch of your group but having gone through the mandate of your group, I feel you are interfering with the mandate of the Netball Association of Malawi so I’m sorry to say you don’t have the blessings of the Netball Association of Malawi as such we will not be attending the launch ceremony,” he said
But speaking after the launching ceremony, the Group’s Chairperson Steve Mphonda said they proceeded with launch as they feel whatever they are doing is in good faith which is to uplift the game of netball and nothing else.
“We are ready to work with NAM, We are not here to fight with NAM. Here is just a group of netball lovers willing to complement NAM’s efforts to develop the game we all love,” said Mphonda.
The group says it will soon be unveiling its plan of activities between now and end this year.
Meanwhile the Malawi National Netball team has on Friday left the country for this year’s Netball World Cup in South Africa which is taking place for the first time on African soil.
On Thursday the Malawi National Council of Sports organised a send-off dinner for the Queens at BICC.
Leading continental Sports Channel Supersport has since unveiled veteran Queens’ player Mary Waya as one of the analysts for this year’s global netball showpiece.
