Moorosi Tsiane
Lepereng Olympafrica Centre (LOC) have launched a series of events dubbed the Summer Sports Festival in collaboration with Lesotho Weightlifting Federation as part of their 10th anniversary commemorations.
The events, which will be held over two months, are aimed at giving young people a chance to mingle and engage with their peers, learn and share their experiences in a healthy and non-discriminating environment.
Four districts namely, Leribe, Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing and Maseru will compete against each other.
“This is the first event of the series of sporting events the LOC will be hosting throughout November and December,” LOC Project Officer, Khotso Mahloko, said in a recent interview with the Sunday Express.
“This is the Summer Sports Programme, an initiative of the International Olympafrica Foundation which will be implemented by the Olympafrica Centres with the support of their National Olympic Committees.”
Mahloko said the events will be held on random weekends after confirmation of dates by other sports associations.
“This initiative seeks to give youths in communities and schools within the vicinity of Lepereng Olympafrica Centre and in Lesotho an opportunity to engage in sports at an early age. It also strives to assist those who are already involved in sport to develop appropriate skills to enhance their performance through competitions.
“It also aims to give young people a chance to mingle and engage with their peers, learn and share their experiences in a healthy environment.
“It also gives young girls and boys a foundation where they can learn to be responsible, develop their interpersonal skills, promote cultural activities and instill discipline, get psychosocial support and promote healthy lifestyles through participation in the Olympic Values Education Programme, Anti-Doping Education sessions and cooperative activities.”