Moorosi Tsiane
The Lesotho Snooker and Pool Association (LESPA) Public Relations Officer, Tefo Sethati, says he is worried that the country’s failure to send a team to the 2014 All-Africa Black Ball Championship in Tanzania might have jeopardised Lesotho’s chances of hosting the annual tournament next year.
The competition took place from 16-19 October in Dar es Salaam and was won by South Africa in both the male and female categories, and Lesotho had expected to send a 12-member team to the event.
Lesotho’s ladies team won a silver medal at last year’s edition of the competition held in Malawi, while their male counterparts came back empty-handed.
According to Sethati, the Tanzania trip had to be called-off at the 11th hour due to lack of funds.
“We were looking forward to the tournament but unfortunately, the ministry of sports cancelled the trip at the last minute, saying there was no money to sponsor us. What worries us, as an association, is that this may affect our chances of hosting this tournament next year,” Sethati said.
The tour’s cancellation, Sethati added, had left the players demoralised and now threatened the very survival of the sport.
“This was very painful and disturbing news to us. We were very disappointed that after spending almost eight months preparing for this tournament, the trip had to be called off just like that. The players were left devastated to the extent that some are even considering leaving this sport.”
However, Sethati said the association ended up sending two officials to the tournament “just to register our presence and commitment to the sport”.
He added: “In a bid to enhance our chances of hosting the tournament next year, we ended up sending two officials just to register our presence, and show that we are committed to this sport.
“We are also trying to talk to the players and convince them not to quit the sport. Hopefully, they will see it was not LESPA’s fault that the trip was cancelled, and will continue with the sport because we are optimistic that the tournament is going to be held here next year.
“It is such negative developments that hamper the growth of sport in this country. That is why I call upon those in positions of power to iron out their differences for the sake of fans and players, and the country’s overall development of this country.”