THE national netball team, Taifa Queens left the country on Thursday afternoon to Singapore for a Six-Nation tournament, ready for their opening assignment against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

The team's head coach, Mary Waya, said shortly before departure that the squad comprises 12 players. She said players are in an upbeat mood ahead of the tournament. The six-day tournament to be hosted at Toa Poyoh Sports Hall in Singapore will also have Malaysia, Namibia, Republic of Ireland, Sri Lanka and hosts Singapore competing for top honours.

Waya said the players responded well in training and she was optimistic that they will perform better in the seven-day event. She named the players making the trip as Mwanaidi Hassani and Dorita Mbunda (JKT Mbweni), from Filbert Bayi netball team are Irene Elias, Jacqueline Sikozi, Restituta Boniface, Lillian Selidion and Joyce Edward.

State House netball team has enrolled Pascalia Kibayasa, Mwadawa Twalibu and Sophia Kumba as Pili Peter and Faraja Malaki are from JKU Zanzibar and Jeshi Stars, respectively. The Tanzania Amateur Netball Association, CHANETA Chairperson Anna Bayi said it is important for the country to participate in the event because it has stake in the world ranking.

She said the Six-Nation tournament provides a wonderful platform for players to show what potential they have against top world ranked teams. According to latest International Netball Federation (IFINA) ranking, the highest ranked team at the event is Singapore which is on 18th position, Tanzania is on 19th, Sri Lanka 23rd, Malaysia 25th, Namibia 26th and Republic of Ireland on 29th position.