Mikia Kalati

THE 2016 rugby season will kick off on 30 January 2015, with three matches slated for LCS Ground.

Federation of Lesotho Rugby secretary, Litšitso Motšeremeli, told the Sunday Express on Friday the 2016 season would be “bigger and better” than last year.

“We have a new team called LCS, and they will host the opening fixtures at LCS Ground on 30 January,” Motšeremeli said.

“This is the league’s second season after it was launched last year, and the levels of competition have also improved among the teams. That is why I said it would be bigger and better.”

He said they would soon hire a league director to manage the federation.

“We need a league director who would be responsible for the running of the league and finding sponsors,” said Motšeremeli.

“At the moment, we still do not have an official sponsor for our league. But we believe that will be sorted once there is somebody running the league on a day to day basis.”

He added: “Last year we had six teams, but unfortunately CAS Wolves were suspended during the campaign after failing to honour a fixture. The league ended with the number of teams reduced to five.

“This year LCS team has come on board, and there will also be a reserve league to improve the level of competition.”

Motšeremeli also noted that the sport of rugby made a lot of progress in the country over the last two years.

“It is my belief that the development programmes held at the grassroots level late last year played a major role in promoting the sport across the country,” he said.

The opening fixtures will see LMPS Black Cobras take on Maseru Warriors in the first match, Mabote Beavers will face the defending champions Giants, while LCS will go head to head with NUL Spears.