Gerald Kampanikiza, News Reporter
Chimwemwe Kulemeka’s heroics was the talk of the day as her team Blue Sisters were crowned champions of the K1 million Kwacha Sharron Kampanikiza Netball League in Dedza district, Malawi on Saturday afternoon.
It was a day fully packed with action offered by top teams from their zones namely; Boma, Bembeke, Lobi/Thete, Golomoti, Mtakataka and Linthipe zones as all the teams gathered at Dedza Christian Primary School ground to fight for the top prize.
Blue Sisters led by their goal shooter the brilliant Chimwemwe Kulemeka managed three wins out of three games played to beat off competition from Kalilombe Sisters and Dynamos Sisters.
In their final game, the Dedza boma based side beat Kalilombe Sisters from Bembeke 16-4 baskets to jam to the tune of stand up for the champions.
Speaking after guiding his team to victory in the inaugural netball league in Dedza District, coach Gift Emmanuel Mwasiya said he was very proud of his troops as they give it all to win the league.
“It’s a great day for us looking at what we have achieved today because it was not that easy but my team sacrificed everything to win it which is good to me as a coach,” Mwasiya said.
He then said today’s games provided a good opportunity for his team to prepare well for another competition slated for Lilongwe at regional level after they emerged champions as well at district level.
In her remarks, sponsor of the league Sharron Kampanikiza, said she was impressed with how the league has been handled by the Dedza Netball Committee starting from the zones before the final day.
“I am very happy that finally we have come to the end of the league after three months of competition from many teams who participated in the league,” Kampanikiza said.
She then assured the committee that there is a great possibility that the sponsorship will continue because of the way they have run it until the final day.
“We will sit down with the committee to see the way forward but let me assure them that I will continue sponsoring the league,” she said.
Making his remarks, General Secretary for Central Region Netball Committee, Daniel Nyirenda applauded the Kampanikiza family for taking part in developing netball at district level as he urged them to continue with the initiative.
“We are very happy with what they have done and as a Region Committee we are keeping our fingers closed that they continue sponsoring the league and of course increase the package even more,” Nyirenda said.
Concurring with Nyirenda’s remarks, Chairperson of Dedza Netball Committee Chikondi Ndalama, said they have already put a request to their sponsor for continuation of the sponsorship.
Blue Sisters recieved K120,000 for being champions while second placed Kalilombe Sisters went home with K100,000, Dynamos Sisters who finished third recieved K80,000, Kamtande Sisters and Lobi Sisters went away with K60,000 and K40,000 for finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
The league kicked off on 12th March, 2022 and involved teams from all eight T/A’s in Dedza district as the games were firstly played at zone level before the final day of the league.
It was the first time in Dedza to have a sponsored netball league as teams used to play bonanzas out of their own contributions.
