MBABANE – Eswatini’s netball fraternity is brimming with optimism following World Netball’s recent shake-up of its tournament calendar.
Officials believe the changes could finally pave the way for the nation to make its mark on the global stage. This sentiment comes directly from Nkabinde Shabalala, the Interim Board Secretary General of the Eswatini National Netball Association (ENNA).
World Netball has announced a significant shift: the Netball World Cup will transition to a biennial event after the 2027 showpiece, with a brand-new tournament slated for the intervening years. This strategic move aims to accelerate the sport’s growth worldwide.
Crucially, an inaugural Men’s Netball World Cup is also on the horizon, a key component in the ongoing efforts to bolster netball’s bid for inclusion in the Olympic Games.
traditionally
Since its inception in 1963, the Netball World Cup has traditionally been held every four years. However, following the next edition in Sydney in 2027, all future tournaments will take place in November.
Under the new two-year cycle, the subsequent pinnacle event will be held in November 2029. The international federation asserts that this calendar adjustment will prevent a recurrence of the scheduling conflict seen between the 2023 Netball World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
Furthermore, World Netball plans to introduce a new biennial event from November 2028, to be staged in non-World Cup years.
This initiative is designed to ensure a top-tier international competition occurs annually, providing elite players with more regular opportunities to compete, foster rivalries and broaden the sport’s appeal.
When contacted for comment, Shabalala enthusiastically welcomed the changes, hailing them as a monumental step that presents immense opportunities for Eswatini. He highlighted recent successes, including the men’s national team silver medal at the Africa Netball Cup last December and Royal Flames’ gold at the Council of Southern African Netball Associations (COSANA) Club Championships just last month.
These achievements, he believes, significantly enhance Eswatini’s prospects of securing a maiden World Cup appearance.
While Eswatini has undoubtedly made strides in netball and improved its world ranking, the country is yet to qualify for the Netball World Cup.
They have, however, consistently participated in World Cup Qualifiers and other regional tournaments such as the Africa Netball Cup.
The Secretary General underscored the immediate need for the country to prioritise keeping its athletes in peak condition ahead of next year’s Women’s Netball World Cup qualifiers.
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