Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho Football Association (Lefa) has announced a M1.2 million three-year sponsorship deal with Lesotho Post Bank, making the bank a new sponsor for the Lesotho A Division
League. The unveiling of the new sponsor was held on Tuesday at Lefa headquarters, Maseru. As a result of the sponsorship the Lesotho A division League is now called the
Lesotho Post Bank League. M1,2 million will be divided equally for three seasons. Prize money for the winners from both Southern and Northern Stream has increased from the
previous M17, 750 to M50, 000. The new payment structure will see the runners-up receive M25, 000 with the third-placed team receiving M20, 000. Previously the runners-up and the third
placed teams from both streams were getting M14, 000 and M11, 500 respectively. The last team will be consoled with M10, 000. The league was previously sponsored by Lefa.
Managing Director of Lesotho Post Bank Molefi Leqhaoe alluded that football can be used as a tool to curb the high unemployment rate in Lesotho. He mentioned sport as one of the most paying careers throughout the world.
“As the only bank that is 100 percent owned by the government of Lesotho, we aim to do things that will positively impact on Basotho and contribute to the growth of the country itself,” he stated.
Leqhaoe also called for transparency and good governance in sports.
“We have to work together as partners so that we all benefit from the marriage
(commitment),” said Leqhaoe.
As an addition, he promised that the bank will equip all A Division
teams and Lefa with financial literacy skills.
Lesotho A Division Management Committee (ADMACO) Chairperson Rantsubise
Matete said Post Bank sponsorship is a huge boost to Lefa, stipulating that the money that Lefa used to sponsor the league with will now be transferred to other businesses of the association.
“Now our teams will know what they are playing for, unlike in the past
where the decision to how much the teams will get was discussed at the end of the season based on what the association could afford at that time,” mentioned Matete.
Lefa President Salemane Phafane KC took the opportunity to highlight to
the bank that a lot of lives will be impacted through the sponsorship since the A Division has a total of 20 teams.
He assured Post Bank that their investment is in good hands as he said
there will be transparency in how they administer the partnership. He also encouraged other banks and companies to come on board to invest in sports.
