Home Sport FRL to host rugby sevens tournament

FRL to host rugby sevens tournament

by Lesotho Times
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Mikia Kalati

THE Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR) is set to host a Sevens Rugby tournament that will feature South Africa and Kenya in September.

FLR secretary general Litšitso Motšeremeli said the games would be staged at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru and Leshoboro Sports Complex in Mafeteng.

“So far we have seven countries that have confirmed their participation for our Sevens Rugby tournament and we are waiting for one of Zambia, Mauritius and Uganda to take the last spot to make it eight,” Motšeremeli said in an interview with the Lesotho Times this week.

“We want to raise the profile of rugby in the country and some experts have even told us we are best suited to rugby sevens format.

“Our goal is to go as far as competing in the Olympics just like the two countries and we believe that hosting such a tournament will work wonders for the sport in our country.”

Two-time World Rugby Sevens Series champions, South Africa and Kenya competed at the 2014 Olympics in Brazil and the former won bronze.

Motšeremeli said they had also scheduled a 15-aside tournament in October against Malawi and Swaziland.

“With the October competition, our plan is to go a level higher in Africa and that tournament will be the platform for us to do just that.

“We are still fighting to get recognition and a ranking on the continent. That can only achieved if we perform well.”

He said the sport was growing on the domestic scene and it could get better if Lesotho competed “against the best on the bigger stage”.

“So it will be very good to have teams like South Africa and Kenya as they recently participated in the Olympics and are loved by rugby fans.”

Giants formerly known as Maseru Kings were the first rugby team in Lesotho in 2011 and the national team, popularly known as Likatola followed in 2014.

Likatola finished third at the Africa Cup Division 2 Championships in Rwanda in May last year.

They have also played friendlies against Botswana, Swaziland and Malawi.

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