KUHeS staff netball team triumphs at PUSSAM games; Wins trophy for the 3rd time
KUHeS staff netballers were again a marvel to watch as they displayed their delicate skills which saw them win the Public University Staff Sports Association of Malawi (PUSSAM) netball trophy for the third time consecutively. The PUSSAM inter-varsity games were hosted by Mzuzu University (MZUNI) last weekend and were under the theme; “Strength in Togetherness”. The games were played by KUHeS, MUBAS, MUST, UNIMA, LUANAR and MZUNI.
In the group stages, KUHeS lost to UNIMA and won against MUBAS and LUANAR. KUHeS then played against UNIMA again in the finals to win the trophy.
Captain for the team Thereza Ziba attributed the success of the team to proper preparations and teamwork amongst the members.
“Our success is derived from the frequent training we have every week; we train twice a week and organise frequent games that help us assess ourselves. As we forge ahead, we will continue training hard and accommodating new talent within the university hence I would like to urge members of staff that play netball to join us and contribute to future successes of the team. We would like to continue being formidable and defend championship of the PUSSAM netball trophy and others”. Said Ziba.
Before proceeding to the PUSSAM games, the KUHeS netballers had two tournaments that were aimed at preparing them for the PUSSAM games. KUHeS emerged as winners in the tournaments.
Apart from netball, the PUSSAM festival had other games such as pool, nguli, athletics, football, darts, volleyball, draft, chess and bawo.
Aaron Mwafulirwa, KUHES’ athlete who won three medals for the 100 and 200 metres race and relay race said he was overjoyed to have represented KUHeS well. Though he registered success, Mwafulirwa bemoaned the low numbers of staff in athletics.
“These games are meant to keep us physically fit as staff for the different universities hence it is of great significance to be participating. I would like to urge those that are athletes or would like to be to join and train with us as the numbers for KUHES athletes are not impressive; people only rush to football and netball ignoring other sporting codes like athletics.” Said Mwafulirwa.
On his part, KUHeSSA President Nelson Nyoloka thanked management for supporting staff to participate in the games.
“KUHeS management is always there for us whenever we knock on its doors to seek financial assistance to participate in these games and we are very grateful for their gesture. I would also like to thank all staff from the different KUHeS campuses for coming together to put up a good fight in the different sporting codes and raise the KUHeS flag higher. We won some games and lost others hence those that did not win or poorly performed should work hard so that next time we should emerge victorious. I would also like to commend the KUHeS netball team for winning the trophy for the third consecutive time and i want to urge other sporting disciplines to emulate the spirit the netball team has”. Said Nyoloka.
During the games, KUHeS got an aggregate of 14 medals.
The PUSSAM games were organised as a preparatory tournament before the universities participate in the Southern African Universities Staff Sports Association (SAUSSA) Games which will take place at North West University, Mafikeng Campus, South Africa in December 2023.
