Tsoanelo Koetle of Lesotho challenged by Zweli Nxumalo of Swaziland during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Lesotho and Swaziland at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
Mikia Kalati
Star sprinter, Mosito Lehata, was beaten into fourth place in the 100-metre race at the International Association of Athletics Federations Diamond League held in the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.
Jamaica’s Asafa Powell won the race, with Young Isaiah of the United States of America and Kilty Richard of Britain taking second and third positions respectively, to finish ahead of Lehata.
This was the second time in less than a month that the Mauritius-based 26-year-old athlete faltered on the big stage, after finishing fifth in the 200-metre race in Jamaica three weeks ago.
However, Lehata yesterday told the Lesotho Times from the Czech Republic that he could have done much better under more favourible weather conditions.
“I might not have won the here last night, but I am happy with my performance. I was slow out of the blocks because of the cold and rainy weather conditions,” Lehata said.
“You always learn on the track and such big competitions are always good if one is to improve himself. I believe I will do much better going forward, and I am confident these are ideal preparations for me ahead of the World Athletics Championships to be held in August in Beijing, China.”
Meanwhile, the disciplinary hearing for marathon queen, Mamoroallo Tjoka, which had been set for Friday last week, was postponed to 7 June, while her co-accused, Sekeke Lesole failed to turn up.
The two athletes tested positive for a banned, performance-enhancing substance during last December’s High Altitude Summer Marathon. Tjoka won the female category of the race, while Lesolle was second in the male section of the annual event, whose winner walks away with M100 000.
However, the hearing for Ramolefi Ramotsieloa, who is also in hot water for doping, went ahead as scheduled last Friday and the marathoner would know his fate over the next two weeks.
Lesotho Amateur Athletics Association public relations officer, Sejanamane Maphathe, yesterday confirmed the developments.
“Unfortunately, Tjoka’s case had to be postponed because all members of the hearing committee failed to make it on time, while Lesole failed to show-up on the day, so his case was also postponed to 7 June,” Maphathe said.
“However, for Ramotsieloa the hearing went on as planned and he will know his fate within the next two week,” he said.
Maphathe also said that they will next month assemble their team for All Africa game set for Congo Brazzaville in September.
“We are still working on our programme, but the idea is to have our team in camp from mid June so that we prepare early for the All Africa games,” said Maphathe.
