Moorosi Tsiane
A new name and fresh beginning for Giants Rugby Club, previously known as Maseru Kings.
The team, which had to change its name due to some “legal complications”, begins a new era this weekend when they face Maseru Select at Pitso Ground.
According to club treasurer, Realoboha Segoete, the team could not register as Kings with the Law Office because of the Royal Family connotation. The team had been known as Maseru Kings Rugby Club since its formation in 2011, and competing in the Griffons Senior Mans Liga—one of the Free State Province’s amateur rugby leagues.
“The match will mark the beginning of a new era for us. We had to change the name from Maseru Kings to Giants Rugby Club because we were told that we could not register the team as Kings as that name is for the Royal Family and no team can be named after them,” Segoete said.
“On Saturday, 29 November, we will be playing the Maseru squad that has been assembled by the Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FRL) to mark this new beginning and we hope to do well under the new name.”
Segoete added as part of the celebrations, there would be an awareness campaign on the dangers of HIV and AIDS, as well as other sexually transmitted infections that mostly attack the youths.
“We will be working jointly with the Ministry of Health and Population Service International (PSI) and begin the day’s commemorations with a fun walk, which will be followed by HIV/AIDS educational talks, testing and counseling and mini-rugby junior games. The match between Giants and Maseru Select will end the day’s celebrations.”
Giants are currently the national rugby sevens champions and also play and also play domestically, in addition to taking part in the South African amateur league.
Meanwhile, Segoete told the Lesotho Times that Giants have appointed former national team (Likatola) coach, Baholo Chimombe, as their new coach on a two-year contract.
“Because we now have a new name, we also had to create a new logo for the team and have also appointed Baholo Chimombe as our new coach after JB Hacking left us,” said Segoete.
“We are starting preparing the team for the local league which starts in January and ends March when the Eastern Free State League resumes.”
