By Moorosi Tsiane
MASERU-Bashana Ba Heso, KTA All Stars and Rovers will represent Lesotho at a 32-team basketball tournament scheduled for Mbabane, Swaziland from 27-30 June.
The competition would have top teams from Swaziland, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, according to the Lesotho Basketball Association public relations officer, Ratšolo Molupe.
The aim of the event, dubbed the Swaziland Invitational Tournament, is to develop basketball in the region, added Molupe.
“KTA and Rovers will be sending both male and female teams to the tournament, while Bashana Ba Heso will only have a male side.
“Preparations for the tournament are at an advanced stage although funding still remains a major challenge for the teams,” he said.
According to Molupe, the tournament is crucial as it affords local players the much-needed international exposure.
“The competition in this tournament is extremely high and the event is very vital to our players because it will give them exposure and international experience which will be of a great help when choosing the national team,” he said.
Molupe further said last year, the country was represented by Rovers and KTA All Stars, but with disappointing outcomes.
“We did not do well as we were knocked out in the group stages. But I am confident we will do better this year because the teams will have a longer period to prepare and two of the sides have been there before and now know what to expect.”
Molupe urged the business community to support local sport, which he said could help the country’s economic development through providing much-needed employment.
