Pascalinah Kabi

MASERU — The Lesotho Football Association (Lefa) is starting today a one-week Under-15 training camp to scout for talent.
Lefa youth development officer, Tjamela Tjamela, told the Sunday Express on Friday that at least 40 under players are expected to join the training camp.
“The school of excellence is a camp that we organise every year for the Under-12 and Under-15 players from around the districts,” Tjamela said.
“The main purpose of this camp is to scout and groom a pool of young talented players who we can select to build up national teams.”
The 40 players were drawn from the country’s 10 districts and were selected after they excelled at the Under-15 Easter Tournament held in April.
“We held a number of competitions from village to district levels since the beginning of this year as part of our preparations for the school of excellence.
“After the village competitions, each district selected a team which competed in the inter-district tournaments held during the Easter break.
“So the 40 players coming to camp on Sunday (today) were selected during the inter-district competitions based on certain skills,” Tjamela said.
He said the players were chosen after they demonstrated exceptional technical awareness, coordination, social skills and mental strength.
“We now have players who are representing their respective districts in Vision 2020 games as well as part of the Under-17 and Under-20 national teams,” Tjamela said.
The training camp is being financed by Lefa through Fifa developmental grants.
He said they were planning to hold a similar camp for Under-12 players at Bambatha Tšita sports arena during the December break.