Molly Rhone (right) has has expressed her delight at the expanding membership to the INF ©Getty Images

International Netball Federation (INF) President Molly Rhone has expressed her delight at the expanding membership to the governing body.

Afghanistan and the Central African Republic have become the latest two countries to earn membership, taking the INF to nearly 80 National Federations across the world.

Rhone has claimed the addition of Afghanistan is a positive step for sport in the country, asserting that netball can help women in the nation to live an active lifestyle.

"That's one good thing about netball,” Rhone told the Jamaican Gleaner.

“They can send their girls out knowing they're playing with girls.

“That's one thing: countries where women are somewhat suppressed, the fact that they can come out and play, supports our first focus in that they are playing a sport and keeping active."

Rhone also claimed that Singapore has been a key nation in helping to develop the sport in Asia, with recruitment from the nation helping to grow interest in netball.

Their work has led to several Asian nations becoming members of the INF in recent years, including Laos, Vietnam and The Philippines.

Earlier this year, England coach Tracey Neville claimed that tapping into the American market would help spread the sport of netball across the world, which would aid chances of securing a place on the Olympic programme.

Netball enjoys strength in Commonwealth countries such as England and Australia ©Getty Images
Netball enjoys strength in Commonwealth countries such as England and Australia ©Getty Images

She expressed her view that “not enough countries” were playing the game worldwide for the sport to warrant a spot at the Olympics.

Netball has never been part of the Olympics but the sport was recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2005 following an extensive period of lobbying.

The sport has been particularly strong in Commonwealth countries and has featured at the past five Commonwealth Games.

However, the lack of a men's game may prove a problem due to the IOC policy on gender equality. 

Rhone has claimed she was unsure as to whether the development of the sport across Asia and the Americas would increase netball’s prospects of securing a place in the Olympic Games.

"I don't know, I don't go there,” Rhone told the Jamaican Gleaner.

“I don't know what's going to make us part of the Olympics.

“We have just to do what we do well and continue to spread the game."