The Malawi Queens arrived at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe to a festive atmosphere, greeted by hundreds of people, including Second Vice-President Ecoch Chihana, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata, and officials from Nico Group, the team's sponsors. The welcome ceremony featured a parade led by the Police Band, showcasing the country's excitement and pride in the team's achievement.
The team's accomplishment was celebrated at a reception hosted by Nico Group at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), where Minister Gangata was the guest of honour. The event highlighted the significance of the Queens' bronze medal win and their qualification for the 2027 Netball World Cup, a milestone for Malawian netball.
Nico Group's head of marketing and customer experience, Taweni Gondwe-Xaba, expressed her delight in the team's achievement, emphasizing that qualifying for the World Cup was a great milestone and a return on investment for the company. Her sentiments reflected the pride and satisfaction of the team's sponsors.
Minister Alfred Gangata committed the government's support towards the team, encouraging them to achieve more. He praised the Queens for showing young girls what courage can achieve and assured them of the nation's backing. The government's support is expected to play a crucial role in the team's future endeavors.
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) treasurer Anastanzia Kaphale lauded the team's achievement, expressing gratitude to the government and Nico Group for their financial support. She also appealed to the government to invest in the team's preparations, including organizing international friendlies and upgrading the Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex for better training facilities.
Queens captain Takondwa Lwazi thanked the government and Nico Group for their support, highlighting the challenges faced during the tournament. She appealed to the government to assist the team with transport challenges, specifically requesting a bus to ease their movement. Lwazi's sentiments underscored the team's reliance on external support to excel in future competitions.
The warm welcome and reception of the Bronze Queens underscored the significance of their achievement in Malawi's sporting landscape. As the team looks forward to the 2027 Netball World Cup, their success is expected to inspire a new generation of Malawian netball players and fans.
Key points
- The Malawi Queens won bronze at the Africa Netball Championship and secured a spot at the 2027 Netball World Cup.
- The team received a warm welcome at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, with hundreds of people in attendance.
- The government and Nico Group pledged their support for the team, with Minister Gangata committing to help the Queens achieve more.
