Leemisa Thuseho
THE Federation of Athletics Lesotho (FAL) last weekend hosted an Under-20 national championship in preparation for the upcoming African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games.
Held at Setsoto Stadium, the championship was meant to help the FAL select a team to represent Lesotho at the regional games in December this year.
FAL secretary general, Makara Thibinyane, said the championship was organised for under-20 athletes from across the country so that the coaches can select their final team which will soon start its preparations for the AUSC games.
“The championship was used to select the final team to represent Lesotho in the Region 5 games,” Thibinyane said.
He said their technical team is still working on finalising the team of 50 athletes who are expected to be announced next week.
“We had a successful and competitive event and once the team is finalised next week, it will be handed over to the coaches who will work with the athletes on it until December.
“We have competitive athletes and we hope they will win us medals at the games. Covid-19 is posing a threat to our preparations but athletes can still train individually.”
The event saw Kamohelo Mofolo winning the men’s 5000m race leaving the second position to Sethunya Mokheseng. The women’s 5000m category was won by Thandiwe Lematla. ‘Malineo Mofolo finished second. Lematla also won 1500m category.
‘Mamakoli Senauoane won the females’ 200m and 100m races. For Senauoane, the championship also acted as a preparatory event for the upcoming under-20 World Athletics Championships set for Kenya from 17 to 22 August.
Starlet ‘Maqabang Tsibela continued with her fine form winning the women’s 800m race while ‘Maserena Mafatle came second. Tsibela also finished second in the 1500m race.
The 400m women race was won by Mphotleng Koeshe while Pinki Mongobo came second. Relebohile Mokoatleng won the men’s 400m race while Lehlohonolo Motlatsi settled for second place.
Monatsi Monatsi was crowned the champion for winning the men’s 1500m race which saw Mofihli Lerotha finishing second. Lebohang Sebata won the men’s 200m race and Sekepe Lebesa came second. Lebesa also went on to win the 100m race.