Malawi Queens have suddenly found themselves fighting for a World Cup place under rules the Netball Association of Malawi says were not the rules when they entered the tournament.
The concern follows the cancellation of the Africa Netball Cup semi-final between Malawi Queens and South Africa, which was scheduled for today.
Under the revised fixture, Uganda will face South Africa in the Africa Netball Cup final, while Malawi will play Zimbabwe on Friday in a World Cup qualification playoff.
In a statement signed by NAM general secretary Yamikani Kauma and addressed to Africa Netball and World Netball, the association says Malawi entered the competition based on World Netball’s published qualification criteria, which stated that the top two teams from the African regional qualifier would receive invitations to the World Cup.
NAM says the changes are a significant departure from the competition structure under which teams entered the tournament.
“Africa Netball informed Malawi on July 21 that a meeting would be held to discuss the proposed qualification arrangement and obtain the views of participating countries,” read the statement.
However, the association says, to its knowledge, the meeting did not take place, and participating member associations were only engaged on the matter on September 18, after concerns had already been raised.
NAM is now seeking clarification from the continental and global governing bodies on the basis for the changes and how they affect Malawi’s qualification prospects for the 2027 World Cup.
The concern follows the cancellation of the Africa Netball Cup semi-final between Malawi Queens and South Africa, which was scheduled for today.
Under the revised fixture, Uganda will face South Africa in the Africa Netball Cup final, while Malawi will play Zimbabwe on Friday in a World Cup qualification playoff.
In a statement signed by NAM general secretary Yamikani Kauma and addressed to Africa Netball and World Netball, the association says Malawi entered the competition based on World Netball’s published qualification criteria, which stated that the top two teams from the African regional qualifier would receive invitations to the World Cup.
NAM says the changes are a significant departure from the competition structure under which teams entered the tournament.
“Africa Netball informed Malawi on July 21 that a meeting would be held to discuss the proposed qualification arrangement and obtain the views of participating countries,” read the statement.
However, the association says, to its knowledge, the meeting did not take place, and participating member associations were only engaged on the matter on September 18, after concerns had already been raised.
NAM is now seeking clarification from the continental and global governing bodies on the basis for the changes and how they affect Malawi’s qualification prospects for the 2027 World Cup.
