Malawi Teams off to Commonwealth Games
After a tug of war between the Netball Association of Malawi and Coach for the queens, Peace Kaluwa-Chawinga, the Malawi Queens, Athletics, Judo, and swimming have left Malawi for Birmingham, United Kingdom where they are going for the Commonwealth Games.
Before the journey, there was a rift between the Coach for Queens Peace Chawinga and Netball Association of Malawi officials when a 12-member squad was released.
Netball fanatics reacted angrily after learning that Nam was imposing some players on the Coach as Chawinga included shooter, experienced Sindie Simtowe at the expense of the talented young shooter, Tendai Masamba.
Nam believed that Masamba as a budding player was supposed to be included in the squad as part of the developmental plans.
Nam General Secretary said, “As part of developing our future team, we suggested that Tendai should gain exposure. We are saying both players will be part of the team.,” said Chimwala.
Due to this rift, the Sports Council of Malawi Chairperson, Sunduzwayo Madise asked Nam for a report on the matter.
“This is not the best way to kick off our journey to Commonwealth. We will not sit idly by,” said Madise.
After all these, on Thursday, Malawi sent a delegation of 38 people including 22 athletes and 16 officials to the 2022 Commonwealth Games slated to start on July 28 this year.
Malawi’s Chef De Mission to the Games, Henry Sakala who is Malawi Olympic Committee Treasure, said the athletes were ready for the games.
He said, “This time, we have no tourists and everybody looks in shape. I am very confident that Malawi will bring something back home.”
In Netball, twelve players and 5 officials made the trip which include the Top players like Mwawi Kumwenda, Joyce Mvula, Caroline Mtukule, Takondwa Lwazi, Jane Chimaliro.
This is going to be Mwawi’s fourth appearance at the Commonwealth Games.
The former Kukoma Diamonds superstar joined Queens with blessings from her Australia Suncorp Super Netball League side Melbourne Vixens which congratulated her for earning the call-up
The prolific goal shooter was excited to link up with her Queens teammates again after about four years in exile.
“It feels great to return. I really missed home. The extra joy comes from the fact that I will be re-joining the Malawi Queens. It feels good to be part of the national team.
“I am super excited and I can’t wait to learn from the girls and share my experience with them. I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity to serve my country,” she said
In preparation for the Games, the Malawi National Netball Team played in two Tri-Nation tournaments in Blantyre and Cape Town, South Africa, last month.
Malawi took on Namibia and Zimbabwe in the Blantyre tournament and won all games but luck eluded the Queens in Cape Town as they failed to register any win in all their assignments against England and the hosts.
Mwawi missed both events as Vixens still had games to play until July 3.
In July 2018, the shooter suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury to her left knee during a match against West Coast Fever after an awkward landing.
This forced her to miss the rest of the 2018 season.
Kumwenda was also unable to link up with the Queens in 2020 and 2021 as there were no flights to and from Australia due to a lockdown.
In athletics, Asimenye Simwaka, Stern Liffa, Farook Mponda and Coach Pachisi Nyasulu have made the team while in Judo, Malawi will be represented by Austin Chikwapula, Harriet Boniface and Coach Christopher Chisala.
Elias Bonzo, Luwis Zakeyo and Coach Natasha Maya will represent Malawi in Boxing while in Swimming, Tsinde Kumbatira, Jessica Makwenda and Coach Brave Lifa will carry Malawi’s flag.
Dr Kaponda Masiye who is a Moc commissioner will accompany the delegation as a Team Doctor.
Meanwhile, Minister of Youth and Sports, Richard Chimwendo Banda instructed Team Malawi to fight and bring home medals.
“They are carrying Malawi’s flag and it is our wish that they should bring medals. We have talented athletes and it is my hope that they will do well,” Chimwendo Banda said.
