Netball Association of Zambia (NAZ) has bemoaned the low turnout of netball teams during the open Independence tournament that was hosted at David Kaunda grounds in Chipata, Eastern province.

NAZ President Getrude Mukumi said only five regular teams, three madalas and five men’s teams showed up for the tournament when each category had more than seven teams in Lusaka alone.

Speaking on the sidelines of the tournament, Mukumi attributed the low turnout to the location that she said did not favour other provinces.

“We expected to have a good turnout looking at the number of netball teams we have registered in the league. But I think the venue for the tournament did not favour teams from other provinces. We however chose Eastern province so that we could show other sister bodies that we have not neglected them,” Mukumi explained.

She further said that spreading tournaments to other parts of the country would give the association the chance to scout for potential national team players especially tall ones to level up with demands of the game.

“We had a height disadvantage during the African Netball tournament in August while other countries were all sorted. We realised that we could find taller ladies in other provinces since concentration had always been in Lusaka province. Also, other sister bodies affiliated to NAZ need to be engaged every now and then,” said Mukumi.

Green Eagles were champions of the tournament in both the Regular and Men’s category while Lusaka City Council finished second in the regular category. Nkwazi was second in the Men’s category and ZESCO were champions in the Madalas category.