MASERU — Mahlaseli Football Club got a shot in the arm two weeks ago when they received a brand new kit from Standard Lesotho Bank.
The B Division club is based in Semonkong.
After the presentation ceremony on September 10, the team looked splendid in their new blues and whites.
The day’s activities began with a float around town by the team and representatives of Standard Lesotho Bank, leading to the local soccer grounds where the official handover ceremony took place.
Semonkong principal chief, Mohlakana Lerotholi, thanked the bank for its gesture “which clearly demonstrates that Semonkong is not a forgotten part of the country”.
The festivities came to a climax when the new kit was unpacked and presented to the team, drawing huge ululations from the spectators.
Standard Lesotho Bank Roma branch manager, Ntenne Molapo, said sport was important in unifying not only the youth but the nation as a whole.
“This is more so for soccer which is much loved by the people of Semonkong and Basotho as a people,” Molapo said.
She added that Standard Lesotho Bank had made it a policy to “plough back into communities in which we operate and assist communities to move forward”.
Molapo said she hoped the donation would motivate Mahlaseli FC to work harder so they can be promoted to the A Division.
Chief Lerotholi encouraged the youth to join sport so they are not tempted to go onto the streets where they can be misled into alcohol abuse by their peers.
Engaging in sport would also help in curbing crime in the area, he added.
Standard Lesotho Bank has been sponsoring different teams in the B Division over the years to increase the morale of communities and rebuild the love of the game among Basotho.
The bank recently partnered with Metropolitan Lesotho to revive the Independence Cup.
