Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) President, Mrs ‘Matlohang Ramoqopo who is also the 4th Vice President of Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) says LNOC wants the 2022 African Youth Games to be held in Lesotho.
Ramoqopo said this on Thursday during the official send-off ceremony organized for Lesotho team going for this year’s AYG Games set for Algerian capital, Algiers starting from 17th-27th July.
The ceremony was held at the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation (GYSR) boardroom. Thus, Ramoqopo urged the players to do their best in order to achieve the best at the competitions and improve their competence and competitiveness.
That she said will attract other countries to come in large numbers when Lesotho hosts the games. She also reminded the players of respect as one of the Olympics principle and that they should bear in mind that whatever they are doing, they are doing it for the nation.
Ramoqopo further advised the players to start building friendships with other countries’ athletes as she said in future, these young stars will be leaders of this country sports.
Therefore that she said will benefit them. This is the second time Lesotho is taking part in this games even though this is the 3rd Edition. Lesotho will be participating in six sporting codes; Athletics, Beach volleyball, Boxing, Taekwondo, Tennis and Weightlifting with 18 athletes.
The Algeria Youth Games will serve as a qualifier for the 2018 Youth Olympics Games to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina from the 6th to the 18th October this year. AYG is an international multi-sport event held every four years to complement the current All-Africa Games.
After the team was presented before the Minister of GYSR, Dr Mahali Phamotse, she wished them all the best even though she was not satisfied with the fact that the team had been on camp only for two weeks.
Phamotse said there is no way the country can expect to be victorious without proper preparations. The Minister mentioned that her ministry committed to promoting sport as one important sector to the society that contributes to national development and employment.
The team Chef de Mission, Mrs ‘Makutloano Kheola made a vow in front of the Minister that she is confident with her team preparations, therefore she promised victory. The team is expected to leave the country today.
