Ministry of Youth and Sports has approved Malawi Queens’ trip to South Africa for a series of friendly matches against England’s Vitality Roses and hosts Spar Proteas. The Queens will use the matches to tune up for the 2022 Commonwealth Games slated for July in Birmingham, England.

Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda said in an interview on Sunday that although there were some hicups, the Queens’ trip is on. He said: “There were some minor challenges here and there, but I can confirm that the trip is on. Facing England and South Africa, who are ranked among the best in the world, will give the Queens a real test of their pedigree ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Queens celebrate beating Zimbabwe during the Tri-Nations Tournament in Blantyre

“So, it is important that they travel to South Africa.”

However, the minister could not be drawn to disclose the said hiccups.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary Isaac Chimwala said in an interview on Sunday that they are hoping to finalise the trip’s logistics with the Malawi National council of Sports today.

He said the budget for the trip has been pegged at K90 million.

Chimwala also said their plans are for the team to depart either on Wednesday or Thursday ahead of the games which will start on June 27.

Said Chimwala: “We are hopeful that come Monday [today], we will conclude all the logistics with Sports Council.

“We would have loved to depart on either 22nd or 23rd, but that will be dependent on securing [flight] seats as we are only assured of seats on 24th. So, we will see.”

He said they are yet to get details on the fixtures and venues.

Association of Malawi general secretary Isaac Chimwala said meeting the First Lady will be a big motivation ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Said Mtukule-Ngwira: “We are excited with the prospects of having breakfast with the First Lady and we reckon it will be a big boost as we prepare for the Commonwealth Games.

“For her to recognise our feat means a lot to all of us.”

The Queens won the three-team event, which included Zimbabwe’s Gems and Namibia’s Desert Jewels, by winning all their six games.

They finished the round robin formatted tournament with 12 points followed by Zimbabwe who had four while Namibia anchored the table with two points.

Queens coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa said the tournament helped her identify the team’s shortfalls.

She said: “We are not there yet. Almost all the areas need to be worked on.”

The post Ministry approves Queens’ SA trip appeared first on The Nation Online.