Leemisa Thuseho

MAKHAOLA Serake says he is still the Federation of Athletics Lesotho president (FAL) although the federation elected a new executive committee on 31 October 2020.

He says the 31 October elections were unconstitutional therefore, he would remain in the office until the federation holds a constitutional elective annual general meeting (AGM).

Serake said this after the federation’s quarterly meeting held at the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC) offices in Maseru on Thursday.

“I called the meeting as the federation’s president,” Serake said.

FAL held the elections against the directive of the LSRC and that of its arbitration tribunal who said the processes leading to the 31 October elections were unconstitutional.

The FAL nevertheless went ahead with the elections.

Serake said he attempted to cancel the elective AGM but his efforts were fruitless.

“I am the custodian of the federation’s constitution as an elected president therefore, I must adhere to it,” Serake said.

The LSRC has since said it will not recognise the newly “elected” FAL committee.

Tšeliso Pheta was elected the new president but Serake said as things stand, he would continue serving.

“As we speak, I have a right to continue with my duties as president,” he said.

Only six districts namely Leribe, Mokhotlong, Butha-Buthe, Berea, Maseru and Mafeteng were represented during the Thursday meeting. Leribe, Mokhotlong and Butha-Butha were also represented during the “controversial” elective AGM albeit by different delegates.

According to Serake this shows that even the districts committees were divided.

He said Serake said he notified World Athletics of the Thursday meeting.

“I notified the World Athletics, the local mother bodies and even other international bodies and they had no objection. World Athletics only requested that I submit the meeting’s minutes,” he said.

The Thursday meeting resolved that they president would ask secretary general Makara Thibinyane; his deputy, Letsema Moiloa; deputy president Tšeliso Pheta and ordinary member ‘Mamokete Rampai to “show cause” why defied the arbitration tribunal and the LSRC by going ahead with the AGM.

The meeting also established a roadmap to a constitutional elective AGM on a date to be announced soon.

The new president Pheta told this publication that the actions of the outgoing president did not pose any threat to his leadership indicating that they had also started work.

“We are aware of the meeting but we are not afraid… nothing will change even if the LSRC takes sides and works with the former committee,” he said.

He however, said it was imperative to resolve the dispute lest sports suffer.