By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, Mana: Netball Technical delegate from South Africa, Imelda Nerongo has described the construction of Griffin Sayenda Netball Arena as a mile stone in the development of the game in the country.
She disclosed this recently during a media interface at the of a three day African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Regional 5 Youth games Progress Review meeting held at Bingu national Stadium in Lilongwe.
She said once the construction of the arena is complete it would will spur the development of netball from the grassroots where upcoming netball players would be exposed to a facility of international standards.
Nerongo said Malawi’s choice to have the arena constructed to be used for the Regional 5 youth games has demonstrated total commitment to the development the sport.
“The Regional 5 youth games will be a starting point and chances are that Malawi will be able to host more international netball games by using the facility in Lilongwe, “the Netball delegate added.
She observed that Malawi is seventh on world netball ranking through its efforts owing to the local available facilities and having such a magnificent facility would encourage them to aim high.
Basketball delegate from Botswana, Mothusi Thipe said the amount of investment being put into renovating Civo court would help in the development of the game.
He said the renovations are quite impressive so far and the contractors seem to be working to meet the deadlines to ensure that courts are ready for the games.
Thipe said the facility would attract more youth to participate in basketball activities and Basketball authority would make use of the renovated courts after the games in December, 2022.
“By the end of the games, Civo court will remain a legacy taking into account its current status. Civo court is heart of basketball in Lilongwe and wearing a new face should be an encouraging development to basketball fraternity in the country,” he added.
Chairperson for Regional Organizing Committee (ROC) for AUSC Regional 5 Youth games, Stanley Mutoya said hosting of the Regional 5 youth games would help to boost tourism sports for the country and the facilities that are being constructed would meet the required international standards.
He said Malawians need to promote and support the activities of the Regional 5 youth games and use the opportunity to make the country known to attract to more international competitions.
“Some of the games will be used as qualifying games to global competitions and that’s why as ROC would like to make sure the facilities are to the required levels of international competitions,” Mutoya said.
