Moorosi Tsiame
Maseru
The Queen’s Baton Relay arrived in Lesotho yesterday as the build-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games continues.
The Relay is a tour around the world held prior to the Commonwealth Games, and traditionally
begins at Buckingham Palace in London.
Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II entrusts the baton, with a message she would read at the opening ceremony of the Games, to the first relay runner.
The Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) officials yesterday welcomed the Baton at the Moshoeshoe I International Airport, and took it to the King’s Palace for a brief ceremony.
The baton would, today be taken to Berea district where some cultural activities have been lined-up as part of the welcoming ceremony.
The LNOC public relations officer, Moshoeshoe Mokake, said: “The Relay contains a message of invitation from Queen Elizabeth II, which is addressed to the 72 Commonwealth countries expected to send athletes to the Games scheduled for Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 3. The message seeks to instil a sense of unity among the people of the Commonwealth.
“The Relay simply shows that we are getting closer to the Games which take place every four years.”
Mokake further said some of the places the Baton would be taken to are rich in Basotho history , and this has been done for tourism purposes.
“These destinations are rich in Basotho history and they have been chosen with the aim of attracting tourists into the country because the Baton has a lens that is recording everything, and sending the footage directly to the Queen in England,” Mokake said.
According to Mokake, Lesotho is set to send 30 athletes to this year’s Games, who will take part in cycling, athletics, table tennis, boxing, swimming and squash.
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