…to make way for Mpilo Boulevard upgrade
…as new basketball, netball courts to be built
Leemisa Thuseho
THE iconic courts of the Lesotho Lawn Tennis Association (LLTA) in Maseru will be relocated to the Arrival Centre near Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena to make way for the upgrading of Mpilo Boulevard.
The relocation forms part of the government’s ambitious infrastructure programme aimed at modernising one of Maseru’s busiest roads.
The move was announced during the sod-turning ceremony for the Mpilo–Maseru Central Roads and Bridges Project, held at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena this week.
The tennis courts, located near Sefikeng sa Moshoeshoe Park opposite the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) headquarters, have served as the home of tennis in Lesotho for decades. The facility has hosted numerous national tournaments, junior development programmes and regional competitions. Its clubhouse, officially opened in 1993, will also be relocated.
Speaking at the ceremony, NAM Consultant (Pty) Ltd representative, Molefe Nthabane, said the decision followed extensive consultations with the LLTA and the Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission (LSRC).
“One of the facilities that will be affected by the project is the Lesotho Lawn Tennis Association courts,” Nthabane said.
“We will relocate the tennis courts to this site (the Arrival Centre near Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena), where we will construct 10 new tennis courts together with a clubhouse. We have already reached an agreement with the LSRC and the Lawn Tennis Association.”
Nthabane said the new sports complex would also feature a basketball court and a netball court, broadening sporting opportunities at the venue.
LSRC chief executive officer, Realeboha Segoete, confirmed that the commission, on behalf of the LLTA, had reached an agreement with government on the relocation.
He said that while the move would mark the end of an era for one of Lesotho’s most historic sporting venues, it also presented an opportunity to develop modern facilities capable of hosting international competitions.
The new complex is expected to offer improved infrastructure for players, coaches and spectators while creating additional space for the continued growth of tennis in the country.
“We expect construction of the new tennis courts and clubhouse to begin as soon as possible,” Segoete told the Lesotho Times this week.
“We understand that the contractors were simply waiting for the government’s sod-turning ceremony to officially give them the green light to begin work.”
Segoete said the relocation had been carefully planned to ensure tennis activities continue uninterrupted.
“Our agreement with the government is that the relocation should not negatively affect the sport. The existing courts will only be demolished once the new facilities have been completed and are ready for use.”
He said the relocation could prove to be a blessing in disguise, with the tennis fraternity set to benefit from modern facilities while basketball and netball would also gain dedicated courts at the same venue.
Segoete added that both the LSRC and the LLTA had been actively involved in consultations throughout the planning and design process to ensure the new facility meets international standards.
“We were part of the consultations from the beginning. Technocrats from international tennis governing bodies were also involved to ensure that the design and construction of the new facilities comply with the required international standards and quality,” he said.
