Mikia Kalati
LEGENDARY marathon runner, Thabiso Moqhali, says Lesotho’s poor performance at the recent World Championships in London is a reflection of shambolic state of the administration of athletics in the country.
The trio of sprinter, Mosito Lehata and marathon runners Lebenya Nkoka and Tšepo Mathibelle all disappointed in London.
Lehata was disqualified for a false start in the heats of the 100 metres semi-finals while the marathon duo failed to finish their races.
And Moqhali, a 1998 Commonwealth Games gold medallist blamed the lack of proper administration structures for the poor performances.
“The first thing you notice is that those athletes did not have coaches and that is a big mistake to start with,” Moqhali said.
“There is no one to give direction to the athletes and assess if they are in a good shape to compete.
“You need to put the right systems in place for the athletes to be able to complete.
“We need to have coaches to share their expertise with athletes, we also need medical experts such as physiotherapists to monitor their physical condition.
“In short, we have got administration issues and that is affecting the performance of athletes,” he said, adding the athletes were not psychologically prepared for the championships.
Moqhali said the athletics body needed to go back to the drawing board and chart a new course.
“The association cannot give you their plan. Athletes go to competitions without proper preparations.
“This is why the top marathon runner (Motlokoa Nkhabutlane) who recently broke my record turned down the offer to compete in London after being informed about it at short notice.
“He knows that it takes a lot of hard work and preparations to go to such a stage and perform well.”
Moqhali also weighed in on the top sprinter Lehata’s run of poor form, saying he should not have been sent to train in Mauritius but rather to a country with a pedigree in athletics.
“I really think that he has overstayed in Mauritius and it is not helping him.
“When I asked about it I was told that they tried move him, but there was no budget for that,” Moqhali said.
