The FDH Premier Netball League second round throws off in the first week of January 2026 but clubs and players have raised concern about the standard of venues as this is a rainy season. The league’s organising committee chairperson Tadala Billie, who is also Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) vice-president, yesterday confirmed the schedule. But Eagles Sisters wing attacker Molly Chisambiro and Kukoma Diamonds coach Noel Mussa yesterday agreed that the restart period will be a challenge considering the scarcity of indoor facilities in the country.
They feel it could have been a relief if the Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex in Lilongwe was not closed for construction works after it hosted the Africa Netball Cup two weeks ago. “I do not know how we are going to cope with playing on open courts this rainy season as this affects the rhythm of the matches. Our games will be regularly marred by stoppages and postponements and that will be a bad experience in top-flight netball,” Chisambiro said.
Mussa said the unavailability of proper indoor facilities in the South will also result in poor patronage. “The problem with the few existing indoor structures is that they lack adequate space for spectators as they were built without consideration of the international netball standards,” he said. In spite of the situation, Billie said the games will proceed and that they are in discussion with management of various private indoor facilities for consideration as they are running against time to conclude the league by the March 2026 deadline.
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“The scarcity of good indoor facilities is indeed a concern. However, we also have to do our best to cope with our conclusion deadlines,” she said. The inaugural FDH Premier Netball League went for break over a month ago with Blue Eagles Sisters leading the 12-team pack with 22 points from 11-straight victories while fellow Lilongwe-based side CivoNets and Blantyre giants Diamonds were second and third with 20 and 18 points, respectively.
Vanessa Sisters are fourth with 16 points while Prison Sisters are fifth with 14 points. Tigresses are sixth with 12 points while MDF Lioness are seventh on better goal difference following a tie on eight points with eighth-placed Mafco Soldiers. Pacers are ninth on better basket difference after tying on five points with 10th –positioned Airforce Falcons. Ekwendeni Resource are 11th with four points and Karonga Queens anchor the table without a point.
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