MASERU — The newly crowned Buddie Premier League champions, Lioli, will get M30 000 for their efforts — a far cry from the thousands they sunk into the campaign.
The prize money is M2 500 more than what last season’s winners received from Econet-Telecom, who sponsor the top-flight and first division leagues.
“I know that people will concentrate on the M30 000, but we give M750 000 to Lesotho football each year,” Econet-Telecom marketing director Nontuthuzelo Mda told the Lesotho Times.
Lioli used five times the prize money in the campaign, according to club president Lebohang Thutanyane.
“This year we had a budget of M150 000, including travel and accommodation costs,” Thutanyane said.
“There are also daily costs incurred on players – for example, going to training for which we budget around M500 (weekly).”
Thutanyane bemoaned the lack of adequate funding in local football.
“We have accepted that football in this country is about charity,” he said
“We do this for the people who support the team and to give them joy.”
Thutanyane said the happiness brought about by winning the national championship compensated for the lack of sponsorship.
“In Lesotho we lack financial support,” he said.
“But this trophy has brought pride and happiness to all the people of Berea.
“Everybody is excited it has made everybody cheerful.”
Meanwhile, Matlama public relations officer Tšiu Monne said they envied Lioli’s success this season.
“Lioli have inspired us with their win. But we want to be better than them next season,” he said.
“There is going to be a conference. We have problems that we need to sort out.”
