Moorosi Tsiane
THE government suspended all sporting activities in March this year in a bid to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
In April, the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC) said it would assist associations with who survive solely on sports. The beneficiaries included football players and long-distance runners among others.
However, three months down the line, there is yet to be any movement from both the LSRC and the government regarding the assistance.
A fortnight ago, LSRC spokesperson Teboho Rakhomo said they were still waiting for feedback from the government after submitting their budget to the National Covid-19 Secretariat (NACOSEC).
“So far, nothing has been said since we submitted our relief budget… we are still waiting to hear from the ministry,” Rakhomo told the Lesotho Times two weeks ago.
While suspending sporting activities was the right call, I believe the government should have come up with a plan on how to assist all sports persons affected by this decision.
There are several marathoners who survive solely on sports. They have been severely affected by lockdowns both at home and in other countries which they normally frequent and the government must find ways to assist them.
Similarly, premier league players have also been affected. Football teams rely on sponsors and gate takings for income. Such monies are not coming anymore and players’ salaries have either been trimmed or wiped out completely.
The only advantage for footballers is that the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) has already received M35 million from CAF and FIFA for Covid-19 relief.
It is clear that it will take time until the situation normalises and it is prudent to give financial assistance to those who have been affected. That way, they will be able to stay off the streets.
However, as things stand, athletes have to struggle in the same fashion as the rest of the populace to feed their families.
As long as there is no guarantee that they will get relief, the human instinct will kick in and they will be forced onto the streets to find food for their families.
NACOSEC must seriously look into this matter pragmatically and resolve it. That the budget was finalised in April but nothing has been paid to the athletes simply shows how lowly regarded sports are in Lesotho. in this day and age where some of the biggest economies rely on sports to boost their gross domestic product, it is not logical that Lesotho is still far behind.
