Moorosi Tsiane
THE Lesotho Cricket Association (LCA) last week entered into a partnership with the Free State Cricket Union (FSCU) which will see the two parties collaborating to improve the sport in the kingdom.
LCA on Saturday welcomed the Free State Cricket Union’s chief executive officer Johan van Heerden, who came to the country as a follow-up to the partnership.
According to LCA media liaison officer Clifford Molefe, van Heerden’s trip enabled him to assess the state of the sport in the country.
“We had a visitor on Saturday from FSUC and he was here to assess our facilities at Lesotho High School and he was happy with what he saw,” Molefe said.
“He also passed through Emmanuel Hostel, where we were holding a two-day course for women and he was also impressed with the progress as we also had practicals at Mabathoana Ground.
“He promised to hold a course for our development officers while it was also agreed that there are going to be clinics for about 300 kids. He was impressed by what the LCA is trying to do and promised to train our development officers.
“Mr van Heerden will send their team named the VBK Nights to have clinic for more than 300 kids. Thereafter they will play the national team. It has been agreed that all this will be done during the first weekend of September.”
Molefe said van Heerden also promised to help Lesotho develop players from under-13 to under-19 to help them prepare a strong national team.
“He said they are willing to assist us develop players for our under-13,15,17,19 and the national teams while at the same time helping to train our umpires.”
Molefe said the two bodies also agreed to increase interactions ad also frequently play friendlies.
He said the reason they sought FSCU’s help was because they were from the closest town in neighbouring South Africa which makes it easy to visit them even in terms of finances.
“We are going to have frequent friendlies between both in Free State and in Lesotho. Free State is nearer to us and this makes it cheaper to travel there than other towns in South Africa. Secondly, FSCU have all that we need to develop our cricket. For example, they have good facilities and also have qualified coaches for different ages,” Molefe concluded.
