Malawi Netball team, The Queens have returned home full of confidence after matching some of the world’s best netball teams and achieving their target of a seventh-place finish at the Commonwealth Games.
The performance has raised hopes that Malawi is building a stronger and more competitive national side, with the team now turning its attention to the Africa Cup in September and the Netball World Cup qualifiers in Kenya.
Head coach Deborah Fuller said the tournament showed the progress the Queens have made, highlighting victories over two higher-ranked teams in warm-up matches and encouraging performances throughout the competition.
Fuller also praised the emergence of young talent, saying nine players made their Commonwealth Games debut, with eight of them aged 23 or younger. She added that Mwai Kumwenda ranked among the tournament’s best shooters, while Takondwa Lwazi finished among the leading players in goal assists.
Netball Association of Malawi President Vitumbiko Gubuduza described the seventh-place finish as a significant achievement that reflected the players’ hard work, discipline and commitment.
“I am proud of the Malawi Queens’ overall preparations and their performance at the Commonwealth Games. Achieving our target of a seventh-place finish is a significant accomplishment and reflects the hard work, discipline and commitment that went into preparing this team,” said Gubuduza.
He also credited principal sponsor NICO Group for providing the financial backing that ensured the team was fully prepared before the tournament.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to our principal sponsor, NICO Group, for its generous support in financing the team,” added Gubuduza.
Gubuduza said NICO financed the Queens’ local training camp, player allowances and the entire pre-tournament training camp in Manchester, England, where the team played crucial warm-up matches before travelling to Glasgow, Scotland.
NICO Group Head of Corporate Affairs Mbumba Mlia Ndasauka said the team’s performance had vindicated the company’s long-term investment in rebuilding Malawi netball.
“We are immensely proud of the Malawi Queens. Throughout the Commonwealth Games they represented our nation with dignity, passion and determination. Every performance reflected the progress that has been made through the rebuilding programme,” said Ndasauka.
Ndasauka further said the campaign has shown that Malawi possesses the talent, character and potential to compete with the very best in world netball.
