PNL to hold elective AGM

THE Premier Netball League is next month set to hold an elective annual meeting that will usher in a new executive that will run the league’s affairs for the next four years.

All posts are up for grabs from the chairperson to the committee members.

The PNL was launched last year in September led by Thabiso Mokoena as the chairperson.

However, she left this year and Sarudzai Chapo, who was the vice secretary-general, took over as the chairperson. Several other members have also left. PNL secretary-general Liberty Mhizha confirmed the elective meeting will be held on December 10 in Harare.

They have set November 25 as the deadline for submission of nominees.

“On the 10th of December if nothing changes, we will host our elective AGM which should usher in a new executive with a new mandate among other issues to be discussed.

“The 25th of November 2022 is the deadline (for nominees).”

The PNL have just wrapped- up their 2022 season with Platinum Queens being crowned champions for the second successive season.

Last year the league had a crush programme as netball returned with matches played in a bubble set-up.

Mhizha said they had better competition this year since clubs had more time to prepare for matches as compared to last year.

“2022 was a very good season compared to experiences gathered last year. Teams had adequate time to prepare for each bubble though some teams played certain games without other players due to national (team) call-ups.

“Great progress was noted in all teams compared to competition given last season since we were just coming from Covid-19 restrictions,” said Mhizha.

Some of the teams that have been on the lead in the league include title winners Platinum Queens, ZDF, Harare City, Rhinos and Ngezi.

The huge gap between these clubs and some of the upcoming teams, however, is a concern as some of them are struggling to catch-up.

“I believe every team has set objectives which help them perform in the fashion thus, with player development combined with experience, a balanced game will always be achieved,” said Mhizha.

PNL chairperson Chapo said lack of sponsorship has been the major drawback for some of the teams and manifest itself on the field of play affecting the quality of some teams.

“The games were okay. Teams improved compared to last year, even the confidence for the smaller teams improved. It shows netball is going somewhere and even at national level it brings stability to the national team because players come from the league.

“Financially, some of the teams are not yet there, people don’t take netball seriously, so some teams failed to fulfil all their matches, resulting in walk-overs. So I can say lack of sponsorship affected some of the teams’ performance,” said Chapo.

However, she believes the achievements by the senior national team would lead to a change in attitude towards the sport.

With their annual meeting on the cards, Chapo said the issue of sponsorship is among the issues they will look at and also expressed her interest to contest in the election if nominated.

“We want to encourage sponsors of clubs to fully commit so that teams don’t end up missing some of the games.

“I was chairperson from July. If the governors are impressed with what I have done in the six months that I have been in charge, I am willing to do it. But if they have a better person to push for support of the girl child I will be there to support,” said Chapo.

The league is working on their annual awards to honour outstanding teams and individuals.