The Malawi Netball League launch set for Saturday, December 17 at the Griffin Saenda complex could be outshone by football in the neighbouring Bingu National Stadium.

Netball Association of Malawi partnered with Salima Sugar Company to launch the K40 Million league at Griffin Sayenda Sports Complex in Lilongwe.

NAM Association President, Abigail Shariff confirmed the development of the launch in a statement.

"The Salima Sugar National Netball league presents Malawi a rare opportunity for the netball world.

"This league will unearth hidden talents, key for long term development and growth of the country's netball."

The event will have Blue Netball Team and Mafco Netball team play the inaugural match as Minister of Sports, Richard Chimwendo Banda will attend. 

Caution has been raised as the National Netball League launch coincides with Airtel Top 8 Cup derby finals.

This is one of the biggest football events as it wraps up the football season. Nyasa Big Bullets are looking to win a treble while rivals, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers hope to win a trophy to compensate for the drought they have been going through.

For the Nomads, this will be a first in five years and a happy ending to Mark Harrison's start as coach at the Lali Lubani road.

Stella Guga, speaking on the launch said: "Finally something positive, koma mubetsa shine tsiku la derby [but they will get robbed of shine as this is a derby day].

Andrew Chilapondwa questioned: "Launching on Blantyre derby day? Launch requires hype. Don't just launch for the sake of launching."

But some NAM officials have insisted that netball is its own sport with its own followers.

"They have invited All  Netball Lovers, not football Lovers... So ITS OKEY!
"Kodi mumafuma Netball izikhala pansi pa football why? 
Netball ndi brandnso,"