LSRC hosts sports awards

By: Lilemo Matlotlo

Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC) will host Lesotho Annual Sport Awards (LASA) on April 6, 2019 at Manthabiseng Convention Centre.

This will be LASA’s 3^rd edition following the 2016 Inaugural Sport Legacy Awards aimed to honor the legends who contributed to the development in sports since Lesotho began participating in sports.

LSRC spokesperson, Mr. Refiloe Maphallela on Wednesday’s press conference said the procedure to conduct the awards ceremony is still the same though there are some few changes.

“We are still going to work in the same way, but there are some few changes as the president award has been introduced,” he said.

Maphallela added that the president will choose groups or individuals who excelled in their respective sports and grant them president award as it is exclusive in listed categories.

He clarified that another change is that there would be awards given to the best performing primary, secondary and tertiary schools in sports, unlike previously when such award was given to each school as a school sport award.

Maphallela said that they decided to break the school sport award into three parts because levels of learning institutions are run by different independent associations.

Meanwhile, the finalists for the LASA categories and their respective sport discipline stand as follow:

1. Junior Female Sportsperson of the year, Malillo Phera (chess), Manqabang Tsibela (athletics) and Reitumetse Taioe (chess).
2. Junior Male Sportsperson of the year, Thebe Semoko (athletics), Mojakisane Lebakae (chess) and Teboho Lelimo (chess).
3. Junior Female Sportsperson of the year with a disability, Puseletso Tsoelipe (athletics) and Hlompho Kete (athletics).
4. Junior Male Sportsperson of the year with a disability, Mosiuoa Motsieloa (athletics) and Zimzela K’hamqane (athletics).
5. Sportsman of the year, Tokelo Klass (chess), Theko Khanyapa (chess) and Sechaba Khalema (chess).
6. Sports Woman of the year, ‘Neheng Khatala (athletics), Lerato Sechele (athletics) and Malehloa Likhomo (chess).
7. Newcomer of the year, Bonolo Ntsielo (chess), Thebe Semoko (athletics) and Mosiuoa Motsielo (athletics).
8. Administrator of the year, Phoka Thesele (school sport), Buller Phalatse (volleyball) and Lisema Mapetla (baseball and softball).
9. Volunteer of the year, Esther Semana (baseball and softball), ‘Malekanyane Qhalisi (school sport) and ‘Nete Khoanyane (aerobics).
10. National Federation of the year, Federation of Lesotho Rugby (Rugby), Lesotho Primary Schools Sports Association (school sport) and Lesotho Volleyball Association (volleyball).
11. Sport Team of the year, Bantu Football Club (football), Lerotholi Polytechnic Basketball Club (basketball) and Likuena Football Team (football).
12. Coach of the year James Madidilane (football), Moseli Phera (chess) and Nomazondo Seleteng (School sport).
13. Umpire/Referee of the year, Ts’eliso Motloheloa (chess) Chakatsa Lephole (netball) and Mamakebe Moshoeshoe (netball).
14. Journalist of the year, Christian Theko Mopeli (radio presenter), Mikia Kalati (print sport reporter) and Leemisa Thuseho (print sport reporter).
15. Sport Legacy Award, Vincent Rakabaele (athletics), Thulo ‘The Magic Touch’ Leboela (football), Refiloe “Popo’ Matsoara (football), Lekoane “Computer” Lekoane (football), Mokete Mokhosi (Taekwondo) and Patrick Andrews (off-road).
16. Sport Star of the year, Tokelo Klass (chess), Theko Khanyapa (chess), Sechaba Khalema (chess), ‘Neheng Khatala (athletics), Lerato Sechele (athletics) and Malehloa Likhomo (chess).