By Twimepoki Mangani
Lilongwe, Mana: Following the relaunching of the Women and Men’s National Basketball teams on Saturday June 12 Basketball Association of Malawi (BASMAL) has outlined several methods to constantly have the National teams running.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Saturday, Secretary General for BASMAL Peter Gomani said that there some many plans that BASMAL has to ensure the teams are active.
“First on the calendar we are planning a four-national tournament with Zambia Zimbabwe and Botswana because the level of basketball is slightly at the same level; secondly we are waiting for feedback from other teams who could play us on Independence Day July 6.
“Our technical team is busy right now ensuring that we focus on the under 23, 20 and 18 teams which eventually transition to the senior teams” Gomani said.
Gomani added that they have maintained a good working relationship with FIBA( the International Basketball Federation) through payment of annual fees.Basketball Association of Malawi (BASMAL)
“There are so many competitions organised by FIBA which we are eligible for and I believe with time we shall be able to compete in those,” he said.
The Malawi womens Basketball National team pose for a picture
Gomani hailed Interim Coach for the Men’s National team Griffin Kalua who is a FIBA certified coach stating that he is a good coach with evidence to what he has done locally with Brave hearts Basketball Club.
In a separate interview Interim Coach of the National team, Griffin Kalua said that the team played fairly well in their defeat to Kenyan Equity Bank however they require a lot of improvement.
“The game was good everyone is still excited about the relaunch however technically we were lacking but it was an eye opener, the team was assembled late there was no training but with training I know the team will improve,” Kaluwa said.
Coach of Malawi Assemblies of God (MAGU) Edgar Ngongola said the National team will continue to function and carry the flag after its revamp.
“It is important to have the national team back, the technical directorate has a pool of coaches to pick from on who can Coach the National Team since the Coaches during the Launch were on interim basis,” Ngongola said.
Both the Men’s teams Coached by Griffin Kalua and the women’s team tutored by Lisungu Banda suffered defeats against the respective Equity Basketball teams from Kenya during the Launch.
BASMAL worked hard in hard with several stallholders including Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Equity Bank from Kenya the Malawi Olympic committee, the government and more to ensure the successful launch and running of the National teams.