Mikia Kalati
THE Deputy Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation, Rethabile Marumo Makaeane, on Tuesday announced Lesotho’s 20-member Commonwealth Games team at Lehakoe Club.
The team is made up of 13 male and seven female athletes and will leave for Gold Coast, Australia in batches from 26 March.
Lesotho will be represented in the four sporting codes namely athletics, boxing, cycling and body building.
The deputy minister said she was confident that team Lesotho would rise to the occasion as the Commonwealth games will also be graced by His Majesty King Letsie III, who will lead the country’s delegation.
“The Minister of Sports will be at the games, but the delegation will be led by His Majesty King Letsie III and it is important that our athletes give their best to make him and the country proud,” Makaeane said.
“I also want to thank all the associations that have worked hard to prepare this team and also all the companies that have invested their money.
“Government is also playing its part through the grants that we give to the associations, but it is important to also to call for more companies to join those that are already investing in sports to come on board.”
Lesotho National Olympic Committee president, Matlohang Moiloa Ramoqopo, also praised of the four associations for their hard work.
“Preparations are very important for the athletes and we thank the team that managed these preparations and companies like Lehakoe Recreational Centre as well as the Free State University for offering their facilities and expertise to our athletes.
“It’s a challenge to other companies to supports sports.
“There are a lot of organisations that have helped us through this process such as Motebong Lodge who are always by our side when we need them,” Ramoqopo said.
The LNOC president said she was hopeful that Lesotho would return the country to its glory days when local athletes would win medals as they did in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 editions of the games.
Thabiso Moqhali was the first to win gold at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur games in marathon and was followed by boxer Letuka Sephula and Moses Kopo in 2002 and 2006 respectively.
“We used to win medals in these games and it is time that we reclaimed the glory days again.
“We came close in 2014 and I am confident that we will comeback with something this time around and it is a challenge to the athletes to work hard and do us proud,” Ramoqopo said.
Team Lesotho Gold Coast 2018
Athletics:
Lerato Sechele, Mosito Lehata,Lineo Chaka, ‘Neheng Khatala, Tšepang Sello, Mokulubete Makatisi, Badboy Toka, Tšepo Mathibelle, Ramolefi Motsieloa.
Boxing:
Mantoa Ranone, Thabo Molefe, Moroke Mokhotho, Qhobosheane Mohlerephe, Mokhachane Moshoeshoe, Kokole Paneng.
Cycling:
Likeleli Masitse, Phetetso Monese, Tumelo Makae, Malefetsane
Weightlifting:
Bafokeng Moeti
