Leemisa Thuseho
THE Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC) has received M2 million from the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sport and Recreation to cushion sports from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last June, the LSRC requested M6 million from the government to relieve sportspersons who have been negatively affected by Covid-19. The budget was however, whittled down to M3 million in September 2020.
LSRC deputy president Moipone Mashale, who is also the chairperson of the Covid-19 task team which is responsible for planning the safe return of sports, confirmed to the Lesotho Times this week that they had received the money from the government.
“We have received M2 million as opposed to what we have asked for,” Mashale said.
“We are yet to meet as the team working with the LSRC and Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) to map the way forward.
“We must also meet the ministry’s financial controller to understand the accountability measures that must be in place for that money.”
Although their budget was trimmed and having had to wait for a long time before getting the money, Mashale said they were happy with the funds which will come in handy for the athletes during the prevailing times of lockdowns.
“The money will be handy for athletes given that we are back in lockdown due to the increase in cases of Covid-19.
“Most of our athletes are coming from disadvantage backgrounds, therefore they really need assistance. We also have athletes who only earn their living through sport of which is not easy during lockdowns.”
Mashale said they already had plans how they wanted to use the money but now that they only received M2 million, they will be forced to review their plans to ensure that they assist as many people as possible.
Since sports activities were halted in March last year on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government had only managed to give out 150 food parcels to athletes in October last year.
Mashale said initially, they had planned to relieve sports in through food parcels and grants but the plans were now likely to change.
