By SANDRA MWILA –

THE Midlands Netball Association (MINA) has introduced a K3,000 penalty to be slapped on members that will default paying affiliation fees before March 31 deadline.
This was unanimously resolved during the MINA annual general meeting (AGM) held at the Napsa Sports Complex in Lusaka yesterday.
The new penalty fee will see affiliates charged 50 percent of the K3, 000 affiliation fee.
MINA president Felix Mkandawire said no grace period would be given to any member club because affiliates have had enough time to prepare for payments when the season closed.
Mkandawire backed members sentiments that the penalty fee will help accelerate the running of Netball as it will compel affiliates to start paying on time.
“No grace period will be given to any club because I believe there is enough time to prepare for payments when the season comes to an end.
Delays in paying affiliation fees have had an impact of the association because it becomes difficult to plan,” he said.
Mkandawire also urged clubs to return trophies won last season before the beginning of the 2014 season that kicks off with a NAZ opening tournament on March 22 in Lusaka.
And Netball Association of Zambia (NAZ) general secretary Pritchard Ngoma announced that NAZ will hold its annual general meeting in Lusaka on March 15, 2014.
Meanwhile, MINA general secretary Lennox Kapila introduced two new members that have been incorporated into the executive committee.
These were Arnold Nanjaya who is the new vice general secretary Hilda Chimfwembe replacing Nanjaya, who was committee member.
Kapila called affiliates to give the new members and the entire committee maximum cooperation so that they can see out their mandate of improving the sport on the midlands.