Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) through its programmes; Lepereng Olympafrica Centre (LOC) and OlympAfrica Youth Ambassador Programme (OYAP), will today, host Supporting The Future (STF) Cup soccer tournament for adolescent girls and boys between the ages of 12 and 15.
The tournament, set to take place at the LOC facilities, was named after the organization: Supporting The Future (STF) based in the United States of America(USA).
Talking to Informative Sport, LOC Project Officer Mr Khotso Mahloko, said this is the first time this tournament comes to Lesotho. The tournament is set to promote football among teenage boys and girls, simultaneously equipping them with life skills.
To effectively pursue this mandate, it targets every young individual regardless of their sporting abilities. According to LNOC, the targeted group is made up of eight teams from different primary schools within the vicinity of the centre. The plan is to have the teams form two groups and play in a round robin format with the tops teams qualifying for the finals.
A press statement from LNOC indicated that ‘the project resonates with their strategic objective 2.3.1; which addresses the development of socio- environmental responsibility and other programmes by engaging sports in community building and overcoming environmental hazards.
“If the value of sport as a behavioral change agent and empowerment tool is recognized in Lesotho, the LNOC believes that children, especially girls, stand to develop self-esteem and confidence full throttle.
Thus they have an opportunity and strength to develop various abilities to help them overcome social plaques they may encounter in their daily lives,” the statement noted. Mahloko further mentioned that the STF has a vision of running this cup annually depending on the success of the current pilot.
He further revealed that that they also have a surprise for the winners however they ruled not to announce it as they are afraid it will bring tension amongst the teams in the field of play.
