Africa-Press – Lesotho. Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FRL) has announced both men and women squad that will be honed to represent Lesotho at the Rugby Africa South Region 7s tournament which she will host.
The tournament is scheduled for January 29th to 30th at Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Air wing. The countries expected to participate in this tournament are Lesotho, Botswana, Mauritius, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia
and Eswatini. The tournament was supposed to be held in Mauritius but the country declined the offer last year when it closed the borders due to the emergence of Omicron variant in some parts of the Southern Africa countries.
During the press briefing on Monday, FLR Secretary General (SG) Litšitso Motšeremeli indicated that the federation is however lacking finances to make this tournament a success.
He said they had requested the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation (MGYSR) for assistance but were told that the ministry is working on payments of the African
Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 employees. “It was hard to cancel the games because the countries like Mauritius, Namibia and Zimbabwe have already made the bookings,
so the tournament was postponed from the initial date of 15th to 16th, to allow us to make preparations. We then informed Rugby Africa about our finance situation and asked for assistance.
Surprisingly the grant that was initially allocated for the tournament, M200, 000 was withdrawn and Rugby Africa promised to only pay accommodation for all participating countries,” he
said. Motšeremeli showed that another challenge that the federation is facing is that team Lesotho in both men and women does not have presentable outfit for this tournament.
He said the players are desperately sourcing donations for the tournament to happen. He said the overall budget estimated to hold these games requested from the ministry is M1.4m and they are pleased
that Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL) as rugby league sponsor has contributed M24 000 and the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) M110 000 for the federation to prepare for the tournament.
He highlighted that on January 28th three courses will be facilitated to equip FLR affiliates with skills. The courses are rugby officiating, first aid and coaching courses.
Coach Morapeli Motaung said the team is well prepared; their intention as the hosts is to compete and be the winners as they are also defending their tittle.
He however noted that they delayed their preparations by two weeks due to heavy rains. FLR Women’s Captain Mpho Mohai further said the players are working hard and very committed to compensate for the time
wasted. The first opening games Lesotho will play Botswana on the men’s side and Zimbabwe on the women’s side whereby women rugby team will play 6 games while men rugby team is expected to play 4 games.
FLR men’s squad coached by Morapeli Motaung and Liteboho Mahase stand as follows; Bokang Ncheke, Ntšang Matee, Motheo Mokhothu, Sechaba Mokhele, Lehlohonolo Mohasi, Sekhohola Phate, Amose
Motaung, Kubutu Makhakhe, Lebohang Ntšinyi, Keketso Sejake, Karabo Mphaki, Paul Marie, Lebaka Lebaka and Mamello Makoanyane. The women’s squad is yet to be announced.
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