Escom Sisters set new netball order
by Mphatso Malidadi - Saturday, November 15, 2008 - 11:02:13

Until recently, giants MTL Queens and Tigresses had been dominating national netball trophies in the country.

For close to two decades, the two superpowers took turns in winning trophies, easily shrugging off but history was made last week when Escom Sisters deservedly lifted the Toyota Malawi national trophy after overpowering MTL 43-38 at College of Medicine in Blantyre.

To some it might have come as a shock that Escom won their first championship, but to those who keenly follow netball, knew that the new kids on the block were duly rewarded for their hard work and dedication.

It has taken Escom three years to break the dominance jinx, which was created by MTL and Tigresses.

Even though the club has sent chills on the spines of the bigger teams, they delight in humble beginnings.

Escom was formed in 2005 as a social side for Escom female employees, who wanted to keep fit.

Under the name of Namagetsi, the founders of the social side, who include Mary Makunganya, Rose Mvula, Rhosa Madise and late Florence Mzunga, decided to join Blantyre and Districts Netball League as one of the professional sides.

Makunganya said they saw potential in some players and wanted to nurture them.
“We thus gave Escom management our proposal, which they favourably responded by giving us sound sponsorship,” she said while keeping her lip tight on the amount.

“We formed this team to help in the development of the sport as well as keeping girls busy so that they should not indulge in risky behaviour,” she said.

After securing sponsorship, the team hired the able hands of national team coach Griffin Saenda, who immediately went into scouting mission.

“I got some of the players from Escom’s stations throughout the nation and it is these stations who recommend to us players to go for trials.

“I also poached from [Malawi Schools Sports Association] Massa and junior leagues. The players that pass trials are graded to either senior or junior players.

“I normally look for players that are trainable and I do the rest of the job in perfecting them,” he said.

During their first league appearance in 2005/06 season, Escom finished on position three behind Tigresses and champions MTL.

The next season Escom finished on the same position but they made tremendous improvement when they managed to beat Tigresses during the second round league game. The feat was repeated during the 2007/08 season.

During this time, the team also won the Standard Bank championship for the development teams that finished third during regional qualifiers.

Saenda observed that Escom was heading towards right direction even though they lost to MTL.

“At first MTL used to beat us by a huge margin but gradually we narrowed the gap,” Saenda said. “We also failed to qualify for last years’ Standard Bank finals by a whisker.”

Saenda said the team’s last season performance gave him confidence that they could win a trophy this season.

“I only beefed up the squad with Caroline Mtukule Ngwira, who had expressed interest to join us. Her arrival provided the solution to guide the team,” he said.
Escom spent K300,000 on Ngwira’s transfer from Tigresses.

This season the electricity side showed signs of hunger for success when they defeated MTL Queens for the first time in a Real Insurance game that ended 43-40.

During the Toyota qualifiers, the team ousted Tigresses to book their first ever national finals place. It is at this event that Escom set a new netball order after beating seasoned teams like Blue Eagles Sisters (52-16) and Civonets (54-17).

Featuring, the defence of Ngwira, Towera Vinkhumbo and Esther Kibombwe and centre court players Bridget Kumwenda and Eneles Mdezo Manda, who supplied balls to shooter Mwawi Kumwenda and attacker Maria Milanzie, Escom stunned the experienced MTL, who were tipped to win the trophy.

As the first seven did the damage, others like Saludzai Gondwe, Jessie Mazengela and Lucy Vinkhumbo were waiting on the bench ready to inflict more pain.

Saenda said the win was a gift to their sponsors for providing them with necessities whenever they needed.

“We are actually repaying our sponsors. We will try to maintain our form because we know each and every side will be after us,” he said.

A random interview with some of the players indicated that the youthful team wants to achieve great things.

National team defender Ngwira said if they continue with current form then they can win other trophies.

“We should not get carried away with the trophy but we should use it as a stepping stone to grab another trophy,” she said.

Captain Kibombwe said they look up to some veterans like Judith Chalusa to get inspiration.

“We try to execute all the instructions which the coach advise us to execute. We also look up to some experienced players,” she said.

Mdezo Manda and Towera Vinkhumbo said the players were committed to show the netball fraternity that they are in for serious business.

The club’s chairperson said the recent feat was a result of team work and good organization.

“We have a strong committee that is doing a great job making sure that the team is in condition to impress our sponsors,” she said.

Some of the people that were ushered into the team’s executive are Ruth Takomana as patron, Annie Kangoya as vice-chairperson, Rhosa Madise as secretary, Felistas Maulidi as vice-secretary, treasurer is Rose Mvula, her deputy is Wilfred Mbendera and committee members Alice Kumilonde, Evelyn Chimphwanya, Chimwemwe Bakali and Christina Sambani.

Meanwhile, Escom’s exploits have forced Blue Eagles and Civonets to go back to the drawing to strategise and train hard to get a title.

Blue Eagles coach Sam Kanyenda said Escom’s achievement has shown them that they can win a trophy.

“We have been inspired that everything is possible. We will rectify the mistakes which were there and hopefully we can get something as a reward of our efforts,” he said.

Civonets coach Connis Mhone, who was flanked by her team manager Patricia Jumbe, said they were on a team building campaign.

“If we get timely assistance I am certain our team building exercise will bear positive fruits very soon,” Mhone said.

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