Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho is looking forward to host the 2019 African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 Table Tennis Championship scheduled for December 4th-11th. The
Lesotho Table Tennis Association (LeTTA) President Chabeli Mohatlane said the Region target is to leave equipment legacy in the country to enhance the
country’s table tennis growth. Mohatlane said this during a press conference held at Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC) premises on Wednesday.
He also mentioned that Region 5 pledged to send experts to train players with necessary skills that will boost their competitiveness standards. Lesotho will
receive fully equipped 12 table tennis playing tables, ball and score cards from the region. The equipment is expected to arrive in the country two weeks prior to the tournament.
Mohatlane promised that the equipment will be taken to the district clubs and schools after the games to enhance the development of table tennis in the districts.
According to Mohatlane the games will also cater for Para Table Tennis players however due to the unavailability of funds Lesotho cannot afford to buy para table wheelchairs.
Mohatlane said they are too expensive therefore have opted to use normal wheelchairs. He revealed that after Lesotho via Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sport and Recreation, LSRC
and Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) failed to finance the games, Region 5 decided to solely finance the games. LeTTA budget for the games was M600,000 and Mohatlane said as per the region’s mandate to
grow the sport in all the ten member country, it will cover all the costs. Lesotho will be a host to a minimum of 150 participants from Angola, Botswana, Malawi,
Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The male’s team consists of Likhetho Mothibi, Khethang Mothibi, Tšeliso Chere, Hareteke Mapeshoane and Themba Talane. In the ladies’ competition Lesotho will have Thato Mathibeli, Matšeliso Chere, Nthabeleng Mokeki, Reaboka Bofelo and Tumisang Mpesi.
Para Table Tennis teams;
Males; Ramofokeng Tšeiso, Tšele Masitha, Mokete Malefane and Mosuoe Sehloho. Females; Nteboheleng Ratšoane, Pulane Lebesa and ‘Mathapelo Thuntša.
