Leemisa Thuseho

THE national table tennis team will no longer travel to Botswana for the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Table Tennis Championships due to financial challenges.

The championships are penned in for 11 to 15 September this month.

The team was supposed to leave the country on Thursday but failed to get financial assistance from the Lesotho Sport and Recreational Commission (LSRC).

Lesotho Table Tennis Association (LeTTA) public relations officer, Thato Mathibeli, confirmed the cancellation of the trip to the Sunday Express this weekend.

“We are no longer going to make it for the games after the LSRC said it does not have money to sponsor the trip,” Mathibeli said.

“The LSRC said it did not receive its subvention from the Gender, Youth, Sport and Recreation Ministry.”

The association had already assembled a provisional squad which had been training since last month and Mathibeli said they were disappointed.

“This is sad for the players who have been training for a long time only to be told at the last minute that the trip had been cancelled.”

The trip’s budget was M50 000 for transport, accommodation, food, attire and playing equipment.

Although the trip has been cancelled, Mathibeli said they will keep the team training together in the hope that they will participate in some competitions early next year.

Lesotho’s team of 12 players was supposed to be led by top-ranked player, Khethang Mothibi (40 points) and second ranked, Themba Talane (34 points). The other male players are Hareteke Mapeshoane, Likhetho Mothibi, Lehlohonolo Nkhotle and Tšeliso Chere.

The ladies’ contingent is led by Thato Mathibeli, Nthabeleng Mokeki, Reaboka Bofelo, Reitumetse Mome, Tholoana Mapeshoane and Lisebo Mokhoromeng.

The team is being coached by Aupa Rasmeni.