The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) says the NICO One Top 12 tournament will be fundamental to developing netball in the country, with a focus on nurturing young talent for the national team.
The tournament, which began with regional playoffs, reached its climax this weekend in Lilongwe, where 12 teams are competing for the trophy at the Don Bosco Netball Courts.
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Competition kicked off on Friday with the twelve teams divided into four groups of three. Group 1 comprises Mzimba, Kukoma, and Moyale, while Young Eagles, Blue Eagles, and Resource make up Group 2. Genius, Prison, and Tigresses are in Group 3, with Air Force, Tremors, and Civonets completing Group 4.
The opening day produced several compelling matches, with Kukoma Diamonds delivering the most dominant performance by crushing Mzimba Queens 45-9. Florence Gamuka of Diamonds was named Player of the Match for her outstanding display.
In an all-club derby, Blue Eagles defeated Young Eagles 33-17, with Takondwa Lwazi earning Player of the Match honors. Prison Queens overwhelmed Genius Sisters 37-15, while Air Force Falcons edged Blantyre Tremors 26-21 in a closely contested encounter.
The day’s final matches produced contrasting outcomes. Mzimba secured a narrow 29-28 victory over Moyale in a thrilling finish, while Young Eagles bounced back from their earlier loss to thrash Ekwendeni Resources 42-14.
“Building for the future”
Speaking after the opening day’s action, NAM General Secretary Yamikani Kauma emphasized the tournament’s strategic importance in rebuilding the national team. He noted that most participating teams have brought players below 25 years of age, aligning with NAM’s vision for the future.
“This is what NAM wants because our main plan is to rebuild our national teams. We are looking for talented and skilled players who will help us improve netball in Malawi,” Kauma said.
He highlighted the urgency of talent identification, given Malawi’s upcoming international commitments. The country will host the Africa Cup of Nations in December, participate in the Commonwealth Games next year, and compete in the World Cup in 2027.
“We are looking at both our senior and U-21 national teams. With what we have seen, we believe our selectors will find the players we need. The preparations must start now, and our national team coaches are here observing players who can represent Malawi,” Kauma explained.
He expressed satisfaction with the tournament’s progression from regional playoffs to the national finals, noting that every team is determined to lift the trophy.
The NICO One Top 12 tournament continues at Don Bosco Netball Courts in Lilongwe.
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