Leemisa Thuseho

THE five Lesotho Boxers who were contesting in the African Boxing Qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal from 20 to 29 February 2020 have all failed to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The Olympics will be held from 24 July to 9 August this year.

The five are Tlholohelo Mokhesi, Moroke Mokhotho, Qhobosheane Mohlerepe, Mokhachane Moshoeshoe and Arena Pakela.

The campaign saw Mokhesi and Mokhotho being eliminated in the preliminary stages while Mohlerepe, Pakela, Mokhachane were knocked out in the quarterfinals.

However, all the boxers still have a chance to qualify at the World Finals Qualifying tournament in Paris in May provided that the country can sponsor them.

The boxers are expected back home tomorrow.

Mokhotho told the Sunday Express that it was unfortunate that none of the boxers managed to secure a ticket to the Olympics despite their determination.

“We thought that we had bright prospects considering the calibre of boxers that we have,” Mokhotho said.

“We did our best but unfortunately, that was not good enough.”

Mokhotho said they were disappointed by the government’s failure to avail resources on time for the athletes.

“We are totally disappointed with how our country treats and approaches athletes’ concerns, especially when it comes to preparations for games like the Olympics.

“Games like these are crucial because they determine our future. It is every athlete’s dream to become an Olympian but our country is denying us that opportunity to advance our potentials,” he added.

Mokhotho consoled his teammates and told them that losing was part of competitions.

“Losing and winning are all normal. Although we hoped to do better, we must accept what has happened.”

He pleaded with the newly elected Lesotho Boxing Association (LeBA) executive committee to stage as many boxing tournaments as possible throughout the year.

“We need as many national tournaments as possible to improve our boxers. Boxers must get used to the ring of which this is a major challenge in Lesotho. We also need regular international friendlies games and joint training sessions,” Mokhotho said.

Mokhesi, the youngest boxer in the team told the Sunday Express’ sister paper, the Lesotho Times that he had failed because of poor preparations.

“I did the best that I could under the circumstances because we had poor preparations. The team was named late and I only had about a week to train.

“We last fought at the African Games in Morocco last August and never camped since then. Other countries’ boxers have been preparing since last year and had several camps. However, we only came straight from our respective homes to the games,” Mokhesi said.