Leemisa Thuseho
LESOTHO’S Khubetsoana (KTA) All Stars and Hornets Basketball Club from South Africa were last weekend were last weekend crowned the champions of the Lesotho Basketball Association (LBA) Summa Slam Charity tournament at Lehakoe Cultural and Recreational Centre.
KTA were crowned champions after beating Lerotholi Polytechnic 65-54 in the final of the men’s finals. Hornets beat Dolphins 45-26 in the ladies’ category.
The champions got trophies and pocketed M5 000 each while the runners up each pocketed M2 500.
LBA public relations officer Hopolang Hoala said the tournament was full of action as the teams came out in full force. He said they were pleased that the local teams posed a challenge to visiting teams.
“Visiting teams did not have it easy this time around because local teams were fully prepared,” Hoala said.
He said the fact that three local teams were in the finals was a sign of immense improvement on the part of local teams.
“It means a lot. Other countries think lowly of us and I am happy we have shown them that we are improving.
“Recently our youth teams were in Botswana for the 3 on 3 basketball tournament and they brought home some medals. That also indicates improvement.”
He said they had initially anticipated to host teams from Botswana and eSwatini but they later pulled out due to unforeseen circumstances.
Donations were collected from the teams and the public on behalf of the needy. The donations will be handed over to Apostolic Faith Mission Social Development Division at Mohalalitoe in Maseru.
“We want to use basketball to impact positively on people’s lives whether they play the sport or not,” Hoala said.
