Teboho Molapo
MASERU — Lesotho’s volleyball kings, Redskins, have already started training for the Inter-Club Zone VI Championships set for December.
The prestigious regional championships will be held in Zambia.
Redskins are the defending zonal champions after they ended their six-year title drought last year when they beat 2009 champions Kutloano of Botswana in the final.
Last year’s championships were held in Botswana and the victory marked a fine chapter in Redskins’ history.
But Redskins are not resting on their laurels.
They have already begun their preparations to defend their title.
Speaking to the Sunday Express on Friday, Lesotho Volleyball Association’s (LVA) public relations officer, Clifford Molefe, said the champions had begun their training.
He said Redskins would look to include several preparatory games into their schedule ahead of the Zone VI games.
“They have already started training and preparing for the defence of their title in December,” Molefe said.
“The hope is that the team will also be able to secure practice games to be in the best shape possible for the championships.”
Last year Redskins enjoyed a fine run at the games beating Botswana Defence Force 3 — 2 and dispatched the Hawks of Zimbabwe 3 — 1 in the opening rounds.
They then edged Swaziland 3 — 2 at the semi-final stage before facing Kutloano.
Molefe said the LVA would assist Redskins in their preparations but that would depend on funds.
“If the LVA has anything in its coffers it will help Redskins. It depends on the funds,” Molefe said.
Redskins also have the valuable experience of participating in the African Volleyball Championships which were held in Cairo, Egypt, in April and May.
Both Redskins’ men’s and women’s teams will make the trip to Zambia after they won their respective leagues last year.
There is still a possibility Lesotho could have more representatives at the championships but Molefe said that would depend on the Zone VI board and the hosts.
“It’s up to the hosting country whether they will accommodate more teams in the tournament. That will be decided by the board towards the time of the games,” Molefe said.
If that happens Lesotho Defence Force’s men’s and women’s teams will make the trip as well after they finished runner-ups last season.
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