As the 2026 Africa Netball Cup approaches, continental administrators are placing governance, financial accountability and athlete welfare at the heart of preparations for the showpiece. The tournament runs from September 19 to 26 at Kasarani Indoor Arena, attracting 10 countries, including Uganda. According to a press statement, Zambia’s Martha Lungu-Sichone, the continental governing body’s treasurer, and Botswana’s Malebo Raditladi-Nkgakile, its vice president, are central to preparations. Namibia’s Rebekka Goagoses is acting president, while World Netball Representative for Africa Joan Smit and National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) president Shadrack Maluki are also on the steering team. Lungu-Sichone brings more than four decades of netball experience, having started as a player in the 1990s before moving into administration in Zambia. “Strong governance is the backbone of any successful sport because it creates trust and accountability,” she said. Raditladi-Nkgakile, a former multi-sport athlete and COSANA-accredited umpire, later served at the Botswana National Sports Commission. As Botswana Netball Association president, she empowered 230 coaches, licensed 16 and upgraded umpires. Her tenure also delivered Botswana’s first Netball Nations Cup victory in Singapore in 2022 and a successful Africa Cup in 2023. Nairobi will serve as the African qualifier for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, although Uganda and South Africa have already secured qualification and will target continental honours.The post Africa Netball Cup: Focus turns to governance ahead of Nairobi event appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.