NAM selects development squads for Queens

The remarks were made by the Technical Director of NAM Samuel Kanyenda on Sunday 12 February in Lilongwe at the Mpico netball court after the completion of the trials.

Samuel Kanyenda told Malawi News Agency that the scouting went well and believes once the players go through developmental programs they will be ready to play for the Queens.

“We picked players of different age categories for the national team, of course, we have not picked the exact players to beef up the Queens squad those will be selected from our developmental under-23 squad.

“For a player to be able to play for the Queens, they need to learn the culture, and philosophy and master their skills hence the need for them to go into the development squad,” Kanyenda said.

Coach of the Queens national team Peace Chawinga who was also a facilitator said the essence of the exercise was to ensure players are available to ensure the proper transition into the national team and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts with NAM and the technical team moving forward.

“We corrected the error that was there, that we didn’t have a thorough pathway for transitions but now we have under 19, 21, and 23 teams. The under-23 team will be our developmental side which will promote players to the national team.

“We believe NAM will put our plans in place to make sure that these pathways are being followed so that upon selection these players should perform,” she said.

Chawinga further said she had a meeting with the regional technical team to ensure that they are aware of the criteria of players she wants as well as to set up similar training.

Wing defender for Mafco Queens, Hope Ndala who was selected for the developmental team said the trials were eye-opening.

Centre for Blue Eagles, Chimwemwe Chigunde selected for under 21 hailed the trials because girls from across Malawi had the chance to showcase their skills and she encouraged those not selected to keep working hard.

10 players from the developmental team will be selected to beef up the Queens for the World cup in July. The under-19 and 21 have a selection of 21 players each while the developmental side (under-23) has 45 players.

More than 90 players participated in the trials from Friday with 30 players from each district.