MASERU - The Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC) in collaboration with Econet Telecom Lesotho on Wednesday distributed food parcels valued at M10 000 to 37 athletes from eight sports federations at an event held at the commission’s new premises in Maseru West.
sports
Aug. 7, 2020
TEBOHO JAFETA
3 min read
LSRC, ECONET assist athletes
Food parcels presented to 37 athletes from eight sport bodies
In his welcoming remarks, LSRC treasurer Makhaola Serake said the commission with Econet’s support, chose to assist the athletes as they face hardships brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The commission with donor’s support chose to assist these athletes and we decided to engage in this initiative,” he added.
For her part, Econet Telecom Lesotho’s Puleng ’Mathabo Masoabi said the telecommunications giants are working hard in contributing towards sports development in Lesotho. She said Econet has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LSRC, adding they will continue to work together going forward.
“There are some players who survive through sport and are vulnerable during this time, hence we felt it necessary to offer them the little that we can afford. I therefore invite other companies to join us in this initiative,” Masoabi also said.
On behalf of beneficiary sports federations, the Lesotho Boxing Association (LeBA)’s Lehlohonolo Snyman applauded LSRC for remembering the athletes during this difficult time. “I thank Econet for this donation and hope that we will receive further assistance from other companies as we have a huge number of athletes,” he said.
Snyman also acknowledged sports leadership in Lesotho for ensuring that athletes train individually as that practice has come to be normal nowadays. He further urged athletes to keep on training individually from their respective homes.
LSRC president Jobo Rasooko said people who came to the event were chosen to receive food parcels on behalf of their federations as all beneficiaries could not attend due to the COVID-19 regulations.
“These people present here today came to collect food parcels and will hand them over to other athletes,” he said. Rassoko further mentioned that Econet supports sports in Lesotho, making an example of the elite football league which Econet sponsors.
“The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that we have to assist each other. There are people who know that sport assist them in growing their businesses, so let us all assist each other. The best friends are identified during difficult times,” he said.
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He thanked Econet for giving back to the sport community and appealed to other companies to assist sport people during this time. The director of sports at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation Puisano Tšosane said the 37 beneficiaries were chosen from the 500 athletes who come from eight federations. “Among 500 athletes, Econet Telecom Lesotho had pledged to assist 100 athletes but we decided to start with these 37,” she added.
Tšosane said she was informed that a circular was released to all federations requesting them to provide lists of their athletes and the eight federations were the first to respond, hence their consideration. “The minister told me that she is preparing a relief support for sport people as they are as well affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she also said.
Eight federations that benefited from this donation comprise the Federation of Athletics Lesotho (FAL), the Lesotho Boxing Association (LeBA), Lesotho Weightlifting Association (LWA), Lesotho Darts Association (LDA), Culture Sports, Special Olympics, National Paralympic Committee of Lesotho (NAPCOL) for Deaf and NAPCOL for Visually Impaired.
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