Leemisa Thuseho

LESOTHO Basketball Association (LBA) president Faku Masupha has resigned just six months into his four-year tenure.

The 28-year-old Masupha tendered his resignation on Wednesday to join the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) where he has been appointed programmes coordinator.

Masupha told the Sunday Express that he had only resigned because of the stipulations of his new posting but he would have preferred to stay put and complete his term.

“I am only resigning because I must not be involved in any other sporting association apart from my new post,” Masupha said.

“As a young man, I must put the interest of Lesotho first while also planning for my future so that I can see the growth in sports.”

Masupha pleaded to the basketball fraternity to unite and strive for the growth of the sport.

“We must all have a common commitment to help the new president succeed for the benefit of all Basotho. The challenges ahead are equally great and they too will require the support and the efforts of the federation and the people working in cooperation with the new administration,” Masupha said.

Meanwhile, the LBA is also preparing for this year’s annual general meeting (AGM) at a yet to be announced date.

According to an LBA letter to the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC), Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission (LSRC), International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and all LBA affiliates and other stakeholders, the LBA vice president Bokang Pharela will hold fort until the AGM decides on the next course of action.

Masupha was elected into office last July beating former president Francis Koma in the LBA elections.

The elections were held early after the Koma executive was dissolved at an AGM last June.

The move resulted in serious instability which in turn led to the resignation of different executives among them Masupha, who at the time, was the director of development.