Mikia Kalati
THE Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR) is confident that the recently held four-day technical course for the rugby sevens coaches will go a long way in improving the standards of the sport in the country.
The course was organised by the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) under the Olympic Solidarity World Programmes and was attended by forty local coaches.
The course started last Tuesday and ended on Friday and was facilitated by the World Rugby regional training manager for Africa, Denver Wannies.
The course included Rugby Sevens Level 2 coaching course, Level 1 of strengthening and conditioning, Level 1 rugby first aid and get into rugby (GIR).
According to the FRL public relations officer, Morapeli Motaung, their course has helped to create a pool of 14 Level 2 coaching badge holding coaches whereas they previously had none.
“Indeed, the course was very helpful to us as the association especially the coaches that attended it,” Motaung said.
“There is a lot that they learnt during the four days that was closed book to them before the course and we are positive that it will go a long way to improve the standards of the sport in the country.
“It was a combination of Level 1 and 2 though we still had other coaches who failed to attend due to different commitments but for those that made it learned a lot.”
Morapeli also stated that their rugby sevens teams is on a break and will return to action next year as they are waiting for the 2019 rugby calendar.
However, he revealed that they have already received an invitation to participate in a sevens tournament in Zimbabwe in March.
The Lesotho sevens team participated in several competitions across the continent in 2018 with the last being the Rugby Africa Regional Seven tournament held in Burundi, where they finished second behind the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Meanwhile, the rugby league is still in full swing and will this weekend host matches at Ha Mabote with four matches scheduled for Saturday.
Maseru Warriors top the standings ahead of round four of the new rugby season and will take on Team Liqhomane in the last match on Saturday.
Mabote Beavers battles Giants in the first match while NUL Spears take on the Cannibals in the second game.
