Mikia Kalati
THE Lesotho Institute of Sports Associations (LISA) Public Relations Officer, Teboho Pholo, has downplayed the country’s dismal showing at the recent Confederations of School Sports Association of Southern Africa (COSSASA) games were the team finished last out of five countries.
Botswana were crowned overall champions of the ball games which featured netball, football and basketball among others.
Zimbabwe were runners-up, while Namibia and South Africa finished third and fourth respectively in the games that ended on Sunday.
Pholo told this publication that despite failing to win any gold on home soil, there were still “a lot of positives to take home”.
“Starting with the hosting of the tournament, I think everything went according to plan though we had a few problems there and there,” Pholo said.
Pholo also said their netball team also did well by getting bronze despite its reputation as minnows.
“There was a big improvement with our netball team and we shocked the likes of Zimbabwe and Namibia who always got the better of us in the past.
“The performance of the volleyball team was also good and it’s only our basketball team that struggled. I think this was due to their height and it is something that works against us and we need to find answers.
“But there is hope and I believe there were a lot of positives to take forward,” he said.
He said without elaborating that there were administrative problems that contributed to the football team’s failure to defend their title.
He however, said the results were not a major concern as the games were part of the strategy of developing future talent.
“The games proved that we have the talent as a country but what matters is that we have the resources and facilities to help the youngsters become finished articles.
“We need to continually monitor their progress through the different stages of their growth.
“That is why it is also important for the associations and the government to work together,” he said.
