Malawi National Netball team star Mwawi Kumwenda has been named in the top four for the best netballers in the world in 2020.
An annual poll released by Netball Scoop on Wednesday led by a team of ten judges comprising netball writers, journalists and coaches, has named the Malawi Queens shooter as the fourth best netballer in the world after amassing 13 votes.
The judges said Kumwenda turned in fine performances for Australia’s premiership-winning team, Melbourne Vixens in 2020 most memorably in the league decider where she netted 47 out of 50 baskets.
“Mwai Kumwenda combined her technical prowess with complete understanding of her team and the game plan, culminating in a superb match in the Suncorp Super Netball grand final,” said one of the judges, Lisa Alexander.
Kumwenda has described the news as an honour and a self-motivation to hard work.
Kumwenda has dedicated the award to former Malawi Queens coach Griffin ‘Zagalo’ Saenda who died last month.
“Above all Thanks to Almighty God for this amazing talent and l dedicate this to the late Griffin Saenda, who spotted me and lam here as the best because of him. May his soul continue resting in peace,” she said on her Facebook page.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio from New Zealand has been named as the best netballer with 31 votes seconded by Australian Liz Watson with 30 votes while Jamaican Jhaniele Fowler has scooped third position.
The rest of the top ten netballers is as follows; Australian Caitlin Thwaites on position five with eight votes, Australia’s Courtney Bruce and South Africa’s Karla Pretorius are tied on position six with seven votes so is Kate Moloney from Australia and Jane Watson from New Zealand on position seven with four votes.
Sulu Fitzpatrick from New Zeland, Jamie-Lee Price from Australia and Jamaican Shamera Sterling are on position eight with three votes.
Laura Langman from New Zealand, Geva Mentor from England and Australian Jo Weston have scooped position nine with two votes while the duo of Karin Burger and Maia Wilson all from New Zealand completes the top ten.
