Malawi netball star Joyce Mvula has addressed her unexpected inclusion in the national squad, despite publicly announcing her retirement from competitive netball.

On January 26, Mvula announced her retirement after revealing on Facebook that she was pregnant. “I want to take a break, focus on my family and maybe later come back as a coach,” she stated.

However, on Saturday night, the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) released a provisional squad of 44 players selected nationwide for the Malawi Queens’ build-up to the 2027 Commonwealth Games, and Mvula’s name appeared on the list.

The inclusion surprised both the public and Mvula herself. “I was surprised to see my name in the squad after I had already announced my retirement,” she said. “While I appreciate that the coach still believes in me and selected me, I am not considering changing my decision to return to playing.”

Mvula, who has represented the Malawi national netball team since 2012, expressed disappointment over what she perceives as a lack of understanding regarding her decision. She revealed that NAM asked her to formally submit a resignation letter confirming her retirement, a move that caught her off guard.

“I am not a salaried player at NAM. I never had a monthly contract. We operated on a pay-as-you-go arrangement when we travelled for assignments, and we were paid allowances. That is how it has always been,” she explained. She also questioned why she was asked to submit a resignation letter when other prominent retired players, such as Mary Waya and Peace Chawinga, were never subjected to the same process.

Despite closing the chapter on her playing career, Mvula emphasized that she is not leaving netball entirely. She holds a coaching certificate and may consider serving the national team from the sidelines in the future. “I will announce if I decide to represent my country again, not as a player, but possibly as a coach,” she concluded.

Australia-based Malawian netball star Mwawi Kumwenda-M’mbwana has given birth to a baby boy, faceofmalawi can reveal.

Kumwenda has confirmed of the development in a short statement posted on her official facebook page seen by this publication a short while ago.

“Mark it down: After 9 months of beauty sleep

“Here he is,” wrote Kumwenda M’mbwana.

Earlier this year, her club announced that Mwawi will not be part of the team for the better part of the season since she was pregnant.

Kumwenda got married two years ago to Wanangwa.

All eyes will be at Nkolokoti Primary School Ground in Machinjiri this coming Friday as the ground is scheduled to host the finals of Alex Chimwala Primary Schools Football and Netball Trophy.

The finals will be graced by well-known businessman Alex Chimwala from Machinjiri Township in Blantyre.

In football, Nthawira Primary School football team will take on Namilango Primary School football team while in netball, South Lunzu Primary School Netball Team will face Nkolokoti Primary School Netball team.

Speaking ahead of the finals Chimwala applauded all teams who took part in the tournament for the sportsmanship demonstrated throughout the tournament.

He also said that the tournament for achieving its intended purpose of of keeping the learners busy.

“To be honest am Proud for Machinjiri the whole term the students were busy and happy and am also Very proud of myself regardless of the tough economic times we have managed to sponsor a trophy.

“Am also proud of the parents who have been watching the kids playing football,” said Chimwala in the brief interview.

A total of eight primary schools namely; South Lunzu, Namilango, SOS, Nthawira, Makalanga, Nanjiriri, Nkokoti and Mpata took part in the trophy.

Australia-based Malawian netball star Mwawi Kumwenda-M’mbwana is expected to be out of action for the better part of the season, having announced that she is expecting her first child.

The Malawi Queens’ shooter, who stars for Melbourne Vixens confirmed the development in an interview.

The 34-year-old former Netball World Cup player of the tournament said she is excited with the prospect of being a mother.

Kumwenda got married two years ago.

The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has appointed former Queens defender, Joana Kachilika, as the head coach of Malawi Queens on a two- year contract.

The former Imosys Queens skipper has replaced Peace Chawinga who parted ways with NAM last year.

According to a letter, signed by NAM’s, General Secretary, Isaac Chimwala, the former queens captain has been appointed alongside Eleanor Mapulanga as assistant coach and Beatrice Mpinganjira as Physical Trainer.

NAM has also announced that it has named Christina Mkwanda as the head coach of Malawi Queens U21 and will be assisted by Cecilia Bondwe and Vincent Shombe.

Rose Chinyama has been assigned the Under-20 side with Tereza Chipolopolo and Elnes Kachama being her assistants.

Last year the queens lost all games at Fast 5 World Netball Series Campaign in New Zealand and the new Technical Panel will be hoping to turn around queens misfortunes ahead of the Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup in Australia in 2027.

The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) is set to announce the hiring of a permanent coach for the Queens ahead of the test series against South Africa.

According to NAM General Secretary, Isaac Chimwala, the main agenda at NAM’s executive meeting is to finalise the recruitment process of the new permanent coach.

Reports indicates that former queens skipper and Imosy Netball Club Coach Joana Kachilika is highly favorable for the Job.

Last year the queens lost all games at Fast 5 World Netball Series Campaign in New Zealand.

The job fell vacant last year after NAM failed to renew Peace Chawinga Kaluwa contract and Samuel Kanyenda has been  in charge as a permanent coach.

The Malawi National Netball Team has lost all of their games at this year’s Fast 5 World Netball Series Campaign in New Zealand.

The queens finished bottom of the table, after losing all its six matches at the two-day tournament.

Malawi Queens lost to New Zealand, Jamaica and England on Saturday, and on Sunday they were beaten by Australia and South Africa in their group matches.

Then they faced Jamaica in the fifth-place playoff where they went down 36 to 31.

The squad had UK-based shooter Joyce Mvula and defender Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda and local-based experienced players Thandie Galeta, Sheilla Dimba and Loreen Ngwira.

Melbourne Vixens shooter, Mwayi Kumwenda, opted to stay out of the squad to give a chance to youngsters.

Australia have won the competition for the second time in a row after defeating New Zealand 35 -23, England finished third with South Africa taking fourth position and Jamaica are fifth as Malawi anchor the standings in sixth place.

Malawi had their best finish at the competition in 2016 when they took bronze.

Aspiring Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Member of Parliament for Blantyre City South Lunzu Constituency Alex Chimwala has said he will continue sponsoring netball in Machinjiri Township.

Chimwala said this on Saturday at Nthawira Parish Ground during the finals of Alex Chimwala Netball League between Super Queens and St Mary’s Catholic Socials.

The finals saw St Mary’s Catholic Socials emerging victorious after outclassing Super Queens with 21 baskets to 9 baskets.

Speaking after the finals Chimwala hailed the organizers and all the teams who took part in the League.

“I am really happy today to see what started as mare dream coming to reality. Am also delighted with the way the league has been managed. I have not heard any form of hooliganism during the league and because of this I promise to come up with another league especially for girls under the age of 14 as is the case the case with football.

“I am from Machinjiri and I want to give back to the area the little that I earn from the business that the people from the area support me. This is not political, is about sports development,” said Chimwala while attracting ululation from fans.

On his part Kondwani Matuwamba, Chairman of Alex Chimwala Netball League hailed Chimwala for the sponsorship, saying the league has helped to an earth hidden talent among girls in the area.

He also hailed the girls for showing discipline throughout the league.

Matuamba then appealed to other well-wishers to join forces with Chimwala in sponsoring netball in the area.

Alepha Gobede from Super Queens was voted as best player of the league and she pocked MK10,000.00 while Edina Natchengwa emerged as top goal scorer with 82 baskets and she pocked Mk10,000.00.

As Champions, St Mary’s Catholic Socials went away with MK120,000.00 and Super Queens who finished as runners up pocketed MK90,000.00.

Pink Eagles finished third and pocketed MK60,000.00.

Alex Chimwala pumped in half a million in netball league which saw 8 teams taking part while MK1 million to under-14 Machinjiri Youth Football which is currently underway.

The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has released the Malawi netball team squad ahead of the Fast5 Netball World Series slated for November 11 to 12, in New Zealand.

According to a press statement released by NAM, Melbourne Vixens shooter, Mwayi Kumwenda has opted to stay out of the squad to give a chance to youngsters.

The players that have made it in the squad include Joyce Mvula, Shira Dimba, Cynthia Khunga, Amina Msusa, Mary Nyirenda, Thandie Galeta, Loreen Ngwira, Martha Dambo, Shabel Bengo and Towera Vinkhumbo.

The FAST5 Netball World Series (FAST5 NWS) is an international competition based on the netball’s newest format FAST5, such as; featuring dynamic rules changes including five players a side, shorter quarters, power plays and super shots.

Malawi’s Australia based netball icon Mwawi Kumwenda on Wednesday cheered former Minister of Sports Grace Obama Chiumia at her official residence in Mzuzu.

Chiumia, a stanch Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) member has been sick for some time now and is currently using a wheelchair.

Writing on his official facebook page Malawi Queens star Mwawi Kumwenda wished a quick recover to Chiumia.

“It’s was nice to visit my friend Grace Obama,the former minister of sports.

“God is with you Grace, We are all praying for you,” wrote Kumwenda.

Meanwhile, reports established by this publication indicates Chiumia’s illness requires a special attention of a Neurosurgeon.

Immediate-past Malawi Queens coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa has sued the Netball Association of Malawi at the Industrial Relations Court of Malawi over her recent removal as the Malawi National netball team coach.

His lawyer David Kanyenda has confirmed of the development in an interview with the press.

NAM fired Chawinga last month for unknown reasons.

Malawi Queens is currently headed by technical director (TD) Sam Kanyenda ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup in South Africa.

The Malawi National Netball Team have been drawn in Group B at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games which starts in July together with world champions New Zealand.

Other teams in the group according to the Commonwealth Games schedule which has just been released are Northern Ireland, Uganda, Trinidad and Tobago.

The first game for Malawi will be against Northern Ireland on July 30.

Former Malawi Queens coach Griffin ‘Zagallo’ Saenda has died this morning at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.

According to his daughter Chipulumutso, Saenda who guided Queens to a historic third-place finish at Fast5 Netball Series in 2017 and won several domestic trophies with Kukoma Diamonds, was admitted to the hospital last week after suffering a minor stroke.

The 68-year-old, who hailed from Mwambo village, T/A Kuntaja in Zomba, is survived by 10 children.

She said burial arrangements are yet to be discussed by family members.

“He passed on around 5 am and his body is currently at College of Medicine Mortuary. Vigil is at his house in Chimwankhunda Township, Blantyre,” she said.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary Carol Bapu has described the former NAM technical advisor’s demise as a big loss to the netball fraternity.

“We cannot talk about Malawi netball without mentioning his name. He was an inspiration to many coaches and a big contributor to Malawi Queens’ achievements. We will greatly miss him. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” she said.

Apart from being a netball coach, the late Saenda was also Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) southern region sports development officer before his retirement recently.

More details will follow.

Malawi`s first lady Getrude Muntharika on Friday visited Malawi National Netball Team (The Queens) at Blantyre Youth Centre as the team is in Camp ahead of the Africa Netball Championship to take place in Uganda.

During her visit, Madam Muntharika joined the queens in their training session and she presented hampers to all the 23 players that are in camp preparing for the event scheduled to run from 24 to 30^th June this year.

Speaking during her visit, the first lady said, “I heard that the girls were in camp, so my coming is just to cheer them up as you know the netball team is doing well. As their patron I wanted to give them some morale and let them know that they make us proud. I encourage them to work and do the nation proud and I know they will. We are all behind them.”

The Queens coach, Griffin Saenda described the first lady`s visit to the camp as a good surprise and a morale booster for the team.

“We are very happy for this good surprise. It’s the first time for this to happen and we are very grateful to the First Lady. It just shows how much she cares and how much she appreciates the girls,” Saenda said.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) General Secretary Carol Babu also hailed Madam Mutharika for the visit.

See the pictures below

The Firstlady Poses With The Queens After The Training

Madam Mutharika Giving Instructions During The Training

The Firstlady With The Ball: Training In Progress

the queens looking happy during the first lady`s visit

Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has joined well-wishers across the country in urging Malawians to vote for Malawi’s netball giant Mwawi Kumwenda for the International World Games Association (IWGA) 2015 Athlete of the Year Award.

Writing on his official Facebook page, Chakwera said Kumwenda deserved the nomination following her excellent performance at the World Netball Championship in New Zealand last year where she attained a 91 percent shots on target and was crowned the Player of the Tournament.

“Not only is this a cause for all Malawians of good will to smile, but an inspiration for each of us to look to the future with hope that our present individual efforts are contributing to a prosperous future for all of us as a nation.

“The fact that Mwawi is the only African among the 18 nominees from across the world means that she has so distinguished herself in the discipline of netball that her efforts are now being celebrated by people in other spheres of influence,” said Chakwera.

Chakwera said Mwawi’s nomination has raised the Malawian flag high.

“She has not reached this level by waiting for handouts, nor has she done it by giving excuses to justify a wait-and-see attitude towards her own future.

“This level of excellence demands the kind of self-discipline, self-development, and self-determination that refuses to accept the popular notion that there are heights other nations can reach that are impossible for us to scale. Like her, we must obliterate the word “impossible” from our mind-sets,” said Chakwera.

He added: “On a personal note, Mwawi, I want you to know that your achievement has made me proud to be Malawian. I congratulate you on your great and consistent performance!

“We know that it is tough on you to be away from your country and family, but we urge you to focus on the glory and honour that your exploits bestow on each and every Malawian and use it as a motivation to work even harder.”

He then urged Malawians to support Mwawi by voting for her.

The 26-year-old New Zealand-based Tactix player will battle it out against other nominees such as Ukrainian power lifting champion Larysa Soloviova, American athlete Regina Jaquess, Thai martial artist Vewart Comta, Danish athlete Vewart Comta, Colombian archer Sara Lopez, Dutch korfball star Mady Tims and American gymnast Laura Zeng.

Vote for Mwawi through this IWGA link http://www.theworldgames.org/…/…/24-athlete-of-the-year-2015

Airtel Malawi through its brand Airtel Money is reported to have donated K6 million to Malawi Queens in preparation for Fast5 World Series.

According to Airtel Malawi publications and corporate communications manager Edith Tsilizani, while presenting a dummy cheque to Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) president Rose Chinunda, said the donation was presented with an aim of motivating and encouraging Malawi’s sports sensation the Queens Netball squad to continue their hard work.

The Queens are currently camping at Shire Highlands and training at Blantyre Youth Centre.

Henceforth the donation will help caters for local allowances, meals, transportation, T/shirts and other critical needs, said Tsilizani.

Multichoice Malawi which is the official sponsor of the Gotv netball tournament, has increased this year’s sponsorship from K12 million to a figure that is yet to be disclosed.

The second edition of the prestigious GOtv Netball Champions League will get underway on Saturday with 15 competitive games set to give fans a rare treat at Don Bosco Catholic Institute in Lilongwe.

There is no avoiding each other as all the participating six teams are set to battle in the group stage of the competition which has adopted Fast5 format.

Holders Diamonds, Complex Tigresses, Blue Eagles Sisters, Civonets, MTL Queens and Mafco Sisters will fight for the honour.

The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has confirmed this new development through their general secretary Carol Bapu.

“Yes it is true, the sponsors have increased this year’s sponsorship together with subversion package for the teams” said Bapu.

Last year, the teams were given K500 000 each as a preparation starter pack for the tournament but this time around, teams will get K1 000 000 each,” she concluded.

The winner of the Gotv tournament was at first given K1 000 000 plus a trophy, but now the package has been increased to K 1.5 million.

The netball teams that will be contesting in the tournament starting from tomorrow in Lilongwe at the Don Bosco netball court are; Complex Tigresses, Queens, Diamond Sisters, Civo nets, Mafco sisters, and Blue Eagles, all these teams will be fighting for the top prize.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) President Rose Chinunda has said Malawi Netball Team (the Queens) will not take part in this year’s Africa Netball Championship to be held in Botswana next month.

Speaking in an interview, Chinunda said the competition is of no use to the Queens as it would be used as qualifier for next year’ world championship which the Queens have already qualified alongside South Africa.

“The Africa Netball Championship would be used to come up with two other teams to qualify for World Netball Championship which we have already qualified.

“With limited resources we decided not to participate because it would not have made any difference”, she said

Chinunda said the association would instead focus on the friendly games the Queens against England in December and Jamaica in May next year.

Malawi netball team reclaimed their fifth position at World level in the just ended Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow.