Leemisa Thuseho
THE inaugural Maseru International Meet, which forms part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Challenge, is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive spectacle, with top local and international athletes set to clash.
The prestigious event, featuring competitors from 12 countries, is scheduled for 21 March at Setsoto Stadium.
Lesotho’s lineup will be headlined by in-form marathoner, Kamohelo Mofolo, who will compete in the 10 000m category.
Mofolo confirmed his participation this week, expressing confidence ahead of the race.
“I am in, I will be competing in the 10 000m race and I am ready for the battle,” he said.
He said the event will serve as a crucial build-up for major international competitions, including the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow between July and August.
Mofolo has been in impressive form since last season, highlighted by setting a new Lesotho 10km road record of 27:47 at the Absa Run Your City Durban 10km in July last year.
However, he is expected to face stiff competition from eSwatini runners Sangweni Mancoba and Hlatshwako Ncamiso, as well as compatriot Mokheseng Sethunya.
The men’s 100m race also promises fireworks, with Lesotho’s leading sprinter Mojela Koneshe set to take on Senegal’s national record holder Mamadou Fall Sarr, who boasts a personal best of 10.03 seconds. Koneshe’s personal best stands at 10.22.
Other contenders in the sprint include Moulaye Sonko (Senegal), Zwane Thantaza (eSwatini) and Lesotho’s Lebesa Sekepe.
In the women’s 100m, ‘Mathapelo Molapo and Thabile Kekana will carry Lesotho’s hopes against a competitive field.
All eyes will also be on Zambia’s star sprinter and Olympian, Muzala Samukonga, who headlines the men’s 400m. Samukonga, the Zambian record holder of a blistering 43.74 seconds, will face strong competition from South Africa’s Adrian John Swart and Senegalese duo Frederic Mendy and Abdou Aziz Ndiaye.
Lesotho’s representation in the men’s 400m includes Kente Mokheseng, Lebesa Sekepe, Tšepo Matsobane, Teboho Petlo, Thabo Pofane and Tšepo Thonkha, all aiming to improve their performances against elite opposition.
In the women’s 400m, Lesotho’s hopes rest on national record holder ‘Mamakoli Senauoane, who holds the 400m mark of 52.31 and the 200m record of 23.63. She is expected to face a strong challenge from eSwatini’s record holder Mahlalela Bongiwe.
Middle- and long-distance runners ‘Maqabang Tsibela and Nthabiseng Letokoto will represent Lesotho in the 1500m and 5000m respectively.
Team Lesotho coach, Sam Khalane, expressed confidence in his athletes’ readiness, saying they are in good shape ahead of the competition.
While he stopped short of demanding record-breaking performances, Khalane emphasised the importance of the meet as preparation for upcoming international events.
“The event is important as we prepare for bigger competitions such as the Lefika Relays in Botswana later this month, where we will be competing for qualification for the World Relays, also set to be held in Botswana in May,” he said.
