By Moorosi Tsiane
MASERU — The Lesotho National Rugby team, Likatola, left the country on Tuesday ahead of their participation at the International Test matches commencing this weekend in Botswana.
Federation of Lesotho Rugby secretary general, Litšitso Motšeremeli, said Lesotho will compete with Swaziland and the home country Botswana during the two-day competition.
“Taking part in these games gives us the platform to introduce the Lesotho team on the international stage and also learn from other countries who are ahead of us as far as rugby is concerned,” Motšeremeli said. He noted that the Lesotho team left the country with a 23-man squad.
He said their target is to be affiliated with international rugby bodies such as Confederation of African Rugby and International Rugby Board.
“We believe that being affiliates of the big rugby bodies will help grow the sport quickly in the country while they will also help us get the much needed resources and facilities.
He said they held trials to identify players with some of the scouted players already in the team that has left for the Botswana competition.
“It is still early days, but a learning curve for most of our players.
“However, we will go there to compete,” said Motšeremeli.
“We have a very good team in Maseru Kings that has been playing in the competitive South African rugby leagues for the past two years and that has helped a lot,” he said.
He said they have managed to bring a few sponsors on board — Malutu Mountain Brewery, Econet Lesotho, and Light House Printing who provide them with playing kit while Lehakoe Club has provided the team with training facilities.
