Moorosi Tsiane
AFTER shambolic preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Team Lesotho has finally left for the Queensland where the country will be represented by 20 athletes in the fete that is scheduled to commence this Wednesday.
Boxers, Thabo Molefe, Moroke Mokhotho, Qhobosheane Mohlerepe, Mokhachane Moshoeshoe and Kokole Paneng will compete in the male category while Mantoa Ranone is the lone female representative.
In athletics, long distance runners, Lineo Chaka, ‘Neheng Khatala and Mokulubete Makatisi participate in the middle distance while Olympian Tšepang Sello competes in the 800 metres race.
Tšepo Mathibelle, is the only male marathoner who will compete in the games while the duo of Toka Badboy and Ramolefi Motsieloa competes in track (5000 and 10 000 meters respectively) and field events.
Sprinter Mosito Lehata will also form part of the team joined by the national triple jump record holder, Lerato Sechele.
Three male cyclists, Phetetso Monese, Tumelo Makae and Malefetsane Lesofe are also part of the team while Likeleli Masitise participates in the females’ elite category.
Bafokeng Moeti competes in weightlifting.
I know I have in my previous instalments stressed the issue of lack of adequate preparation by our athletes going into such games which for me has been a big worry.
It baffles me why and how both our government and our sports administrators expect the team to compete with the world’s best without proper preparations.
I was also very disappointed to learn that the team will fly to Australia without allowances as it was announced during their sendoff ceremony last Sunday that funds have been delayed.
You can just imagine the shock that the athletes experienced when they received the news after another struggle for proper preparations.
This issue has been stressed numerous times by some of my colleagues in the media fraternity and I hope all the stakeholders stop politicising this issue and try to fix it.
We are all Basotho and there is no reason for us to hate our own but we are only fighting for them to get what is necessary for their assignments.
I also take this opportunity to also wish the team well on this tour.
I also plead with the nation at large to rally behind the team as they represent our country at the games despite the worrying circumstances.
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