Leemisa Thuseho
RUGBY administrator Kananelo Mokhachane has been appointed a member of Rugby Africa’s sub committee for Player Welfare and Participation.
The sub committee falls under the organisation’s broader Women’s Advisory Committee (WAC).
Mokhachane was appointed along with other 11 women from other African countries.
The WAC was established last year to advise Rugby Africa committees on positive gender inclusion practices, with particular focus on women’s rugby.
Mokhachane is also a women’s representative in the Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR) executive committee.
She told the Lesotho Times this week that their work as a WAC sub-committee would involve offering guidance and suggestions in the vital areas of women’s rugby development and player welfare.
“I was informed about my appointment on Friday and I am yet to get the appointment terms of reference but we will work on issues related to women participation and welfare in the continent,” Mokhachane said.
Mokhachane said the appointment came as a surprise but believes that her profile, which once sent to World Rugby via Rugby Africa earned her the appointment.
“I didn’t see this coming but I remember applying for one World Rugby scholarship via Rugby Africa some time in December, so I suspect they saw my profile there and maybe saw it fit for me to be in the committee.
“I feel honoured and I thank Rugby Africa for the faith they have shown in me. In Lesotho sport, we work on voluntary basis and it is humbling to have someone from outside the country to have such faith in you. It means that whenever you work, do your best even when no one is watching because the universe has funny way of rewarding you,” she added.
Mokhachane is confident that the appointment will benefit the entire rugby in the country.
“This is an opportunity for me to put in practice all administrative skills that I acquired during several short courses offered by the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC). Other than that, most of the skills are transferable and we can transfer and apply them in our day to day lives.
“This is not a personal win… if I get exposed to rugby administration at continental level, it means that I will share with fellow administrators all that I will get there. Again, it should be an inspirational to others because I never saw this coming,” Mokhachane said.
