Sibonokuhle Mboni [email protected]
SELF-SPONSORED sides Flow Angels and Chibwe have withdrawn from the Rainbow Netball League after running into financial difficulties, exposing the growing financial pressures facing teams competing in the national competition.
The league has confirmed that it has no sponsorship set aside to assist struggling teams, leaving self-funded clubs to meet the costs of travelling, feeding and accommodating players during matches played in bubbles across the country.
Flow Angels formally submitted its withdrawal letter on November 5, shortly after Chibwe pulled out following the season break, having played only two matches.
Rainbow Netball League fixtures secretary Precious Mudenge said the withdrawals were unfortunate but reflected the difficulties faced by teams struggling to sustain their participation.
“Unfortunately these teams which withdrew are self-sponsored and it’s very sad they had to pull out because of the hardships,” said Mudenge.
She said clubs were finding it increasingly difficult to meet the costs of transporting players across the country and providing meals, adding that some players depended on netball as a source of income.
Mudenge said inadequate player welfare had also contributed to players abandoning teams that could no longer meet their basic needs.
“We do not have any sponsorship set aside for struggling teams at the moment,” she said.
The withdrawals have reduced the league’s participating teams to 15, with the organisers expected to award walkover points to sides whose fixtures against Flow Angels remain outstanding.
“We are now left with 15 teams but since Flow Angels had already played more games after the break, we are going to award points to the remaining teams on a walkover basis,” she said.
The developments come as the title race enters its decisive stages, with Correctional Queens leading the standings on 53 points from 27 matches.
The defending champions remain unbeaten, having registered 26 victories and one draw, and are firmly on course for a possible third consecutive title.
Glow Petroleum are second on 51 points, while Green Fuel (47), Santa Queens (45) and Black Mambas (40) complete the top five.
Correctional Queens have four matches remaining against Hwange Colliery, Santa Queens, Golden Valley and Khami.
A third successive championship would see the correctional side retain the trophy permanently, underlining their dominance of the competition.
Over the weekend, Correctional Queens strengthened their position with emphatic victories over ZRP Vixens and ZRP Bulawayo, winning 90-5 and 82-14 respectively.
Glow Petroleum also kept their title hopes alive after beating Santa Queens 48-36 to maintain pressure on the leaders.
Despite the withdrawals, Mudenge said the league had already received enquiries from teams interested in joining the competition next season.
“We have already been contacted by some teams who have shown interest in joining the league this coming season,” she said.
However, with no financial support available for struggling clubs, the league faces the challenge of attracting new participants while addressing the economic pressures that have forced two teams out of the competition.
RESULTS
Glow Petroleum 48-36 Santa Queens, Correctional Queens 90-5 ZRP Vixens, Correctional Queens 82-14 ZRP Bulawayo, ZRP Vixens 37-34 ZRP Bulawayo
