Moorosi Tsiane
THE Sports minister, Mahali Phamotse, has warned the country’s sportspersons against substance abuse saying it destroys careers.
Phamotse said this during an event hosted by Alliance Insurance Company and Matlama to celebrate the teams’ recent triumph in winning its 10th Econet Premier League.
Alliance are Matlama’s main sponsors and were celebrating the side’s second league triumph since 2006 when the insurance giants came on board as the sponsors.
After Alliance came on board, Matlama won the league in the 2009/10 season but the Sea-Point endured a dry spell of almost eight seasons without winning any trophy until they won the LNIG Top8 in the 2017/18 season and the league in the just ended season.
In her address at the event, Phamotse and Justice Tšeliso Monaphathi warned Tse Putsoa players against drug and substance abuse.
“The most important aspect in an athlete’s life is discipline both on and off the field,” Phamotse said.
“Try all means possible to cut down on the use of alcohol and other dangerous substances which endanger your health and could be banned in sports.
“The trend of athletes being famous for abuse of alcohol is really disturbing and it puts sports into disrepute while at the same time destroying your (players’) careers. Other athlete’s careers ended prematurely because of drug and substance abuse.”
Justice Monaphathi said players should take care of their careers.
“You should stop all dangerous habits because at the end of the day, they affect you careers.
“The consumption of alcohol at our grounds should be controlled because we are take our children to the grounds and we don’t want our children growing up in such environments.
“We are proud of your (Matlama) achievements after such a long drought. Now you can rest and come back stronger next season,” Justice Monaphathi said.
The Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) Secretary General, Mokhosi Mohapi, also weighed in and said there was a lot to lose for players if they abuse substances.
“The risk is on you as players, so you have to be careful what you do. Some of the activities are done in the dark but they can never be hidden forever.
“I am not trying to scare you banned substances in the dark but when the anti-doping people come, their laboratories will reveal the truth. You must be careful,” Mohapi said.
