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KATO SISTERS CROWNED NICO LIFE NETBALL CHAMPIONS
07/09/2009
A pool of baskets courtesy of shooter Sarah Nkhata land goal-attacker Tapiwa Chikowoka, gave Mzuzu-based Kato Sisters netball team a 74-23 victory over Chitipa Queens to be crowned new champions of the K2.5 million Northern Region NICO Life Trophy after a thrilling match played at Mzuzu's Rosedale Court on Saturday. Nkhata and Chikowoka inspired by centre Stella Kamanga who was in Cook Islands with the Under-21 national netball team netted the baskets in all the four quarters to down their opponents, who were last year's runners-up. "I am delighted that I formed the team last year and today we are crowned champions," said Kato coach Jane Kachali, vowing to defend the trophy for years to come.
Her counterpart, Allan Nkhonjera, said it was an achievement to finish second, two years running. The new champions took over the mantle from Chauka Sisters who first won the trophy in 2006, the year it was launched. This year Chauka finished third at district level. A total of 50 teams registered in the tournament according to league's chairperson Sukani Tembo and only eight made it to the regional finals. Eagle Claws of Likoma, Chitipa Queens, Ekwendeni of Mzimba North, Bruce of Mzimba South, Faida of Rumphi, Malemia of Karonga, Kawalazi of Nkhata Bay are the teams that reached regional finals. However, Tembo explained that teams from Likoma failed to participate in the tournament because of transport challenges on Lake Malawi.
To get to the finals, Kato Sisters thumped Malemia 45-9 baskets while Chitipa Queens demolished Ekwendeni 25-17. Malemia beat Ekwendeni 42-32 baskets to snatch third position. As champions, Kato Sisters received K200 000, Chitipa Queens went home K100 000 richer while Malemia received K75 000. All other finalists received a consolation prize of K15 000 each. Speaking as guest of honour after she presented prizes to teams, Deputy Minister of Gender, Women, Child and Community Development Catherine Gotani Hara said government appreciates the role the private sector plays in promoting sports in the country. "Previously, Malawi was not known in netball but now we are ranked number five in the world due to the private sector which has fought hard to promote sports in Malawi," said Hara. She also noted that many youths are safe from contracting HIV because they are always busy with sports.
Gotani Hara appealed to people to scale up patronage towards the NICO Life insurance products for the company to benefit more and sustain sponsorship. She also appealed to NICO Life to assist in renovating the Rosedale Court for teams to enjoy the game. NICO Life marketing manager Moffat Katundulu hinted that the company will this year increase sponsorship as one way of ploughing back the services people of the North give to the company. |
