Blantyre, Malawi, July 21: The dispute between Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) and star netballer, Mwawi Kumwenda has been resolved after the player and her manager discussed the matter with officials over the weekend.
Coach, Peace Chawinga-Kalua confirmed the development saying Kumwenda joined the squad late Monday which is undergoing World Cup preparations.
“Mwawi is now in camp with us. She joined us Monday afternoon and we’re delighted with her coming. Her services were desperately needed in the team,” outspoken Chawinga-Kalua declared in an interview aired Tuesday Morning.
Coach, Peace Chawinga-Kalua confirmed the development saying Kumwenda joined the squad late Monday which is undergoing World Cup preparations.
“Mwawi is now in camp with us. She joined us Monday afternoon and we’re delighted with her coming. Her services were desperately needed in the team,” outspoken Chawinga-Kalua declared in an interview aired Tuesday Morning.
The development followed intervention by sports minister, Grace Chiumia who sat down with both Kumwenda handlers and the game’s governing body officials.
However, the netball governing body has reportedly refused to back down on demands made by the netballer handlers that they (NAM) should withdraw a contentious warning letter they issued to the player for alleged indiscipline.
Commenting on the issue, minister Chiumia, said though the controversial warning letter was the major sticking point of the standoff but national interests had to take precedence.
“There was no way we were going to compromise national interests because of the fallout and we had to find a way out,” she said.
Of course, the inclusion of Mwawi is no guarantee that we will win, but it is obvious her presence will make a big difference,” she added.
Kumwenda manager and legal adviser, Hlupekire Phiri-Chalamba told a local daily Monday that they had to soften their position on the standoff because of national interests and pleas from the minister and the team’s technical panel.
Nonetheless she added that she was still not happy with the way NAM handled the matter.
“She [Mwawi] will join camp on [Monday] for the sake of the nation, but we are not amused with NAM.
The minister, the national coach and her deputy [Chawinga-Kalua and Mary Waya] also pleaded with us to let Mwawi join the team and we understood their position. In the end, it is about the interests of the nation,” she said.
Kumwenda had fallen out with netball governing officials on matters relating to national team players welfare.
National team netballers are owed by netball governing body substantial amount of money in bonuses and allowances that had accumulated over a period of years.
She subsequently, embarked on personal crusade to raise awareness of team players plight by among others staying away from the national team international engagements.
The dispute boiled over after Kumwenda missed last year Fast5 World Netball Series held in New Zealand on the pretext that she had a dental problem that needed specialist attention in South Africa.
NAM then issued a warning letter that disciplinary action will be taken against her if she continues staying away from national duties.
Kumwenda stuck to her guns and through her manager, Chalamba argued that the process that NAM took to the issue the warning letter was flawed and unfounded.
“The process of arriving at the disciplinary action was flawed and unfounded. NAM’s letter accused her of indiscipline which was serious allegation that constitutes a dent on her career,” said Phiri-Chalamba.
The biggest netball global showpiece, Netball World Cup is expected to take place from August 6 to 17 August in Sydney Australia.
However, the netball governing body has reportedly refused to back down on demands made by the netballer handlers that they (NAM) should withdraw a contentious warning letter they issued to the player for alleged indiscipline.
Commenting on the issue, minister Chiumia, said though the controversial warning letter was the major sticking point of the standoff but national interests had to take precedence.
“There was no way we were going to compromise national interests because of the fallout and we had to find a way out,” she said.
Of course, the inclusion of Mwawi is no guarantee that we will win, but it is obvious her presence will make a big difference,” she added.
Kumwenda manager and legal adviser, Hlupekire Phiri-Chalamba told a local daily Monday that they had to soften their position on the standoff because of national interests and pleas from the minister and the team’s technical panel.
Nonetheless she added that she was still not happy with the way NAM handled the matter.
“She [Mwawi] will join camp on [Monday] for the sake of the nation, but we are not amused with NAM.
The minister, the national coach and her deputy [Chawinga-Kalua and Mary Waya] also pleaded with us to let Mwawi join the team and we understood their position. In the end, it is about the interests of the nation,” she said.
Kumwenda had fallen out with netball governing officials on matters relating to national team players welfare.
National team netballers are owed by netball governing body substantial amount of money in bonuses and allowances that had accumulated over a period of years.
She subsequently, embarked on personal crusade to raise awareness of team players plight by among others staying away from the national team international engagements.
The dispute boiled over after Kumwenda missed last year Fast5 World Netball Series held in New Zealand on the pretext that she had a dental problem that needed specialist attention in South Africa.
NAM then issued a warning letter that disciplinary action will be taken against her if she continues staying away from national duties.
Kumwenda stuck to her guns and through her manager, Chalamba argued that the process that NAM took to the issue the warning letter was flawed and unfounded.
“The process of arriving at the disciplinary action was flawed and unfounded. NAM’s letter accused her of indiscipline which was serious allegation that constitutes a dent on her career,” said Phiri-Chalamba.
The biggest netball global showpiece, Netball World Cup is expected to take place from August 6 to 17 August in Sydney Australia.
By: Joel Chirwa
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