Leemisa Thuseho
THE countdown has begun towards the 2026 Lesotho Annual Sports Awards (LASA), an event aimed at recognising excellence across various sectors of sport in the country.
Organised by the Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission (LSRC), the awards ceremony is scheduled for 21 February at Victory Hall in Maseru.
LASA seeks to recognise, celebrate and honour individuals, teams, schools and national sports federations that have excelled both on and off the field over the past year.
Awards committee chairperson, Limpho Rakoto, said this year’s ceremony will feature 15 categories.
She announced that the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture is the main sponsor, contributing M300 000 towards logistics and prize money.
“Preparations for the awards are well underway, and the main sponsor is the Ministry of Sports,” Rakoto said during a pre-awards media briefing this week.
Rakoto added that nominees are yet to be announced, saying an independent evaluation panel has been assembled to select the winners.
She explained that the panel comprises a sports legend, a media representative, a sports administrator and a sponsors’ representative.
Among the sponsors is Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL). The company’s Public Relations and Communications Officer, Retšelisitsoe Nkhahle, said ETL will contribute M21 000 towards entertainment.
“Our sponsorship will cater specifically for entertainment because there is no event without entertainment,” Nkhahle said.
He added that ETL remains committed to contributing to the growth and development of sport in the country.
Other sponsors on board include Alliance Insurance, All For One Sports and BON Hotel.
Winners of the LASA will also stand a chance to be nominated for the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA), scheduled for May, with exact dates and venue yet to be confirmed.
The award categories
Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year, Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year, Junior Female Sportsperson with a Disability, Junior Male Sportsperson with a Disability, Sportswoman of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman with a Disability, Sportsman with a Disability, Administrator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year, Journalist of the Year, Referee/Umpire of the Year, and the Presidential Award.
