Queens get Mwawi Kumwenda boost
Australia-based netball star Mwawi Kumwenda has been included in Malawi National Netball Team’s provisional squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) released a 29-member provisional squad on Tuesday for the second pre-Commonwealth Games training camp scheduled to run from May 21 to June 9, 2026 in Blantyre.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 23 to August 2, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Her return to the Queens squad is a timely relief for the team following the retirement of Joyce Mvula.
She last played for the team at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
Kumwenda was not readily available for her comment yesterday.
She is among the 29 players that Queens coach Debbie Fuller has called ahead of the matches.
Nam General Secretary Yamikani Kauma said the Queens would focus heavily on “stress testing” the team through four back to-back match simulations against the Malawi Kings as part of preparations for the continental showpiece.
Kauma said the high-pressure matches were aimed at helping the Queens refine combinations, improve tactical execution and build consistency under the demanding schedule expected at the Commonwealth Games.
“The camp marks another important stage in our preparations as we continue building a competitive squad for the Commonwealth Games,” she said.
Kauma said the training programme would provide an important opportunity for the players to reconnect and continue building on improvements made in conditioning and overall performance.
The squad comprises both experienced and blossoming players such as Tendai Masamba, Takondwa Lwazi, Fanada Saidi, Shabel Bengo, Aisha Gama, Martha Dambo, Mphatso Kanyimbo, Grace Chimbiri, Florence Jeke, Stella Matelezi and Melia Soko.
Meanwhile, Nam has rolled out a structured succession plan coaching mentorship programme aimed at strengthening local coaching capacity.
