Africa netball moves in circles

Malawi National Netball Team, the Queens, have qualified for the 2027 Netball World Cup after Africa Netball reversed its eleventh hour changes to Africa Netball Cup regulations to scrap off semi-finals.

Under the initial regulations, Malawi Queens qualified for the 2027 Netball World Cup after reaching the semi-finals and they were expected to play South Africa yesterday.

However, Africa Netball on Wednesday evening announced the change in the regulations and introduced cross-groups World Cup qualification play-offs in which Malawi Queens were paired against Zimbabwe.

Africa Netball acting-president Rebecca Goagoses in a statement said the decision was made in the interest of the sport.

But yesterday afternoon, Africa Netball in another statement reverted to the original regulations and confirmed Malawi’s qualification to the 2027 Netball Wolrd Cup alongside Namibia.

The continental netball body’s statement reads: “Following the conclusion of the pool stages at the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Qualifier Africa, World Netball and Africa Netball can confirm that Malawi and Namibia have qualified to be invited by World Netball to compete at the 2027 Netball World Cup.

“In accordance with the 2027 Netball World Cup competition regulations, the competition format determines that the top two teams from each pool advance to semi-finals and finals.”

Africa Netball also reverted to the initial semi-finals fixture between South Africa and Malawi while Uganda will play Namibia.

The return to the initial regulations came after Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) lodged a complaint with Africa Netball and World Netball.

NAM general secretary Yamikani Kauma in an interview said they sought clarification on the change to the qualification criteria that World Netball published before the continental showpiece.

“We were, therefore, not given an opportunity to formally consider or adopt the proposed changes. NAM entered the competition on the basis of the qualification criteria published by World Netball.

“Our position is not about Malawi’s qualification status. It is about the integrity, transparency and consistent application of the rules governing the qualification process,” she said.

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