Moorosi Tsiane
MASERU Business Solutions this week handed over training and school shoes to six athletes who came tops at the December’s Royal Memorial Half Marathon in Mantšonyane, Thaba-Tseka.
The prizes were given to athletes who were competing in the five-kilometre race only.
Puleng Challa, Moleboheng Tseka and Maserame Fatle who came first, second and third respectively in the females’ category. In the males, Thebe Semoko, Lekopa Ralenkoane and Mokheseng Sethunya came first, second and third respectively.
The Royal Memorial half marathon was initiated to celebrate the lives of the late King Moshoeshoe II and the Queen Mamohato Bereng Seeiso, who both died in Mantšonyane.
The race was started 13 years ago by the Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation until it was handed over to the Lesotho Sport and Recreation (LSRC) in 2017 after the sports commission helped in organising the 2015 event.
Maseru Business Solutions managing director Telang Takane said they were touched seeing some of the young athletes running bare footed when they attended the marathon last year.
He said they decided to give back to the community that has been supporting their business through donating to the athletes.
“We attended the event last year and we were touched to see some of the young athletes running barefooted and we decides to step in by buying them (athletes) shoes,” Tekane said.
“All the prizes cost M10 000.”
Tekane said because they had no other way of picking on which athletes to sponsor they decided to pick the top three in each category.
“We wanted to be as transparent as possible but had no other way of selecting the athletes hence we took the top six whom we bought school and training shoes,” he said.
LSRC Acting Chief Executive Officer Lefa Moneri thanked Maseru Business Solutions for the prizes.
“On behalf of the athletes, we are grateful to Maseru Business Solutions for the gifts. We are also grateful that they managed to identify the need. While we are expecting children to take part in sports, it is also important that they go to school and I have no doubt that the shoes will be helpful,” Moneri said.
Moneri also urged the sponsors to take the opportunity and invest in sports to grow their brands.
“To Maseru Business Solutions, these athletes come from different places across the country, so you must use this opportunity and brand them next time. Let it not only be shoes, use this opportunity to also advertise your brands,” Moneri said.