Airtel pumps K14.4mil into Malawi Queens for Fast5
Airtel Malawi through Airtel Money has given the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) K14.4 million for the Malawi Queens camp training ahead of the during the Fast5 Netball Series slated for October 29 in Australia.
The company said he donation, which is part of the K360 million (US$800 000) netball sponsorship, is meant to boost the Malawi Queens to do well in the forthcoming tournament.
Airtel Money country director Francis Matseketsa said they want Queens to break into top three at the tournament.
He said: “Its always exciting to motivate efforts and also to motivate and create hope to the hopeless.”
He praised the performance of the team during the three years Airtel has been supporting them describing it as outstanding.
“The bond between NAM and Airtel Money has grown stronger, together we have developed local netball talent and increased our national netball team’s competitiveness,” Matseketsa said.
Director in the Ministry of Sports, Jameson Ndalama challenged the Queens to improve on their ranking by breaking into the top four in the netball world standings.
“As the team flies out to Australia next month they have to do that with fresh ambitions. We all know of the potential that is there in the team and we seem to have stagnated in our progress for some time now. Ending in the top four should be our target,” he said.
On the sponsorship from Airtel, Ndalama has urged NAM to be accountable by submitting an audit report upon their return to their sponsor as a way building confidence between the two parties.
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president Rosy Chinunda commended Airtel for the donation, saying it will help in the team’s preparations.
“This is a big boost and we commend Airtel for their continued support to the Queens,” she said.
“We have received the challenge that has been laid before us and it is a sweet challenge because it augurs well with the dream we have always had, to break into the top three of the world,” she said.
She thanked Airtel for their timely assistance and has asked other corporate players to do the same as the mission of developing the team cannot be left in the hands of one organisation.
Chinunda said the Queens will start camp training on October 1.
Newly appointed coach Griffin ‘Zagallo’ Saenda believes his return will help bring back the days when the now battered-and-bruised Malawi Queens were top in Africa.
Malawi Queens are ranked second in Africa and sixth in the world.
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