Mikia Kalati
THE Lesotho Basketball Association says it is taking positive lessons from the recently ended International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Young Lions Cup in Botswana last weekend.
The Young Lions Cup is a tournament for under-18 players and Lesotho sent a mixed team of four boys and four girls.
The tournament was graced by countries like Botswana, Burundi, Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.
Although they lost to the likes of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Swaziland, former LBA public relations officer, Ratšolo Molupe, who was the coordinator at the tournament, said the tournament was a good experience for the team.
He said there were a lot of positives to take from the tournament in which Lesotho made a debut showing adding that he hopes the country will fare better next time.
“I think we played very well based on the fact that it was our first participation at the tournament and we will be a better team when next year,” Molupe said.
“It was a good learning experience for everyone. We expect to improve next year and therefore everyone who is under-18 has a chance to take part and represent Lesotho in 2020.”
The former LBA publicist said that their trip to Botswana was fully sponsored by FIBA and hailed the tournament as a good platform to improve young in the country.
“The travelling, accommodation and meals were sponsored by FIBA and I am happy that the tournament is a good opportunity for to develop young talent since everything is sponsored for by the basketball governing body and we will not have excuses.
“We are looking forward to more events like this and developing young talent in the country to grow the sport.
“The tournament gives the players the platform to grow and get somewhere with their careers,” Molupe told this publication.
Zimbabwe won the competition in both the male and female categories after defeating the host country in the final.
