Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) President, Vitumbiko Gubuduza, has said the One Nico Top 12 Netball Cup has created pathways for grassroots players across Malawi’s four regions to progress to the national stage.

Gubuduza said Thursday that the competition was providing an important platform for identifying, developing and exposing promising players, who could eventually represent the Malawi National Netball Team, the Queens, on the international stage.

She said this ahead of the Eastern Region playoffs, which attracted 12 teams competing for an opportunity to advance to the national One Nico Top 12 finals.

“One Nico games are the main pathway for our girls to the national level. The games help us unearth talent among our netball players as this is the only tournament in the Eastern Region,” she said.

The Eastern Region play-offs will take place in Zomba from tomorrow to Sunday, followed by the Central Region play-offs in Lilongwe on November 7 and 8, while the Northern Region will host its matches in Mzuzu on November 14 and 15.

Meanwhile, Nico Group Head of Corporate Affairs Mbumba Mlia Ndasauka has said the Eastern Region playoffs would provide an opportunity to celebrate local netball talent while strengthening engagement among the competition, players and surrounding communities.

“Beyond the competition, we are looking forward to engaging with players and the community, celebrating the passion that netball brings, and strengthening their financial knowledge,” she said.