One of the budding self sponsored netball sides in the OG Issa Southern Region Netball League Chilomoni Sisters, in Blantyre, Malawi is on the verge of collapse due financial constraints which in turn affects the teams turn up at matches.

The team has since played the last four games with either five or six players instead of the customary seven. The team registered 15 players but only five and at times six were able to pay for their own transport.

Currently, Chilomoni are lying on position 11 in the 12-member league having won two games and lost eight. The side has six points only.

One of the team's founding members Lynda Chimgwede said poor attendance has cost them four games.

"Of course, we lost some games which we could have won if we had featured seven players," she said. "It pains us to lose to teams such as Chitakale Sisters and Chiradzulu Medicals.

"It is difficult to contain the other teams when numerically you are disadvantaged Chimgwede said.

She said they wanted to disband but they were persuaded by SRNL to try their best and honour fixtures.

"There was a time when we felt that we have had enough and we nearly disbanded.

We then agreed with the authorities to allocate us away games sparingly.

"Otherwise as an unsponsored side we struggle to raise money for our programmes," she said.

The team was founded in 2011 and this year the team managed to finish third during the Presidential Cup at Southern Region level.

"We received about K70,000. Partly we used the money to buy our uniform, pay for registration fee and we gave some money to three players who still go to school," said the centre-cum-wing attacker.

Chimgwede said the team needs about K13,000 to honour league games within Blantyre each week and about K40,000 to travel to either Mulanje, Zomba and Liwonde for games.

"The amount covers for transport and food allowances only. As it is we don't mind about game bonuses so long we honour fixtures.

"We have been asking for help from well wishers and it is our plea that we should get sponsorship so that the talent should not go down the waste bin," she said.

SRNL general secretary Annie Hanjahanja said they were sympathising with the team.

"It's pathetic that the team is facing financial problems. They are a good side and it is our hope that well wishers will come to the rescue of the team," she said.

The following are the fixtures for this weekend: Rock Queens v Glass Bank Stars, MTL Queens v Aquiad Queens, Rock Queens v Triggers, Chiradzulu Medicals v Prison Sisters.

All games except the last one will be played at Blantyre Youth Centre today. The final match will take place at Sedi in Chiradzulu.