Selialia retains FLR presidency
Says he is now solid and mature
NTHAKO MAJORO
MASERU – Newly inaugurated Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR) president, Fetang Selialia, suggests that he is now more solid and mature to head the confederacy in his second tour of duty at the helm of national rugby.
Selialia retained his position after bagging nine votes in polls held last Saturday, challenged by Letsielo Mabitle and Moleleki Moleleki. Mabitle, who served in the outgoing committee as First Vice President garnered seven points while Moleleki scored zero in voting.
Following his victory, Selialia said he is now matured as compared to when first led rugby in the previous term. Selialia, who initially announced that he was not going to seek re-election to the presidency, ended up contesting after persuasion from, among others, FLR Secretary General Litšitso Motšeremeli.
“I think I am now very matured, which means I am going to do things in a much seasoned manner compared to last time when one was still without the needed experience in sports administration,” said Selialia in an interview with Public Eye on Monday.
‘Rhino’, as the reinstated president was affectionately called in the rugby paddock in his playing days, said he found it fortunate to start, learn and mature in sports administration within rugby.
“I was fortunate enough to mature in the administration of the sport and I think that’s the main reason why I have been re-elected as the president, after also having been selected to serve in the executive board of the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC). That shows I am now at a level of maturity and am more experienced. I see things in a different light compared to the previous years and even my approach will be different in everything I do going forward,” he said.
Selialia, who was selected as a new board member of the LNOC two months ago, says what has also encouraged him is the type of people who were elected into the new executive committee.
He said, “They are people who were there from the onset when rugby was started in Lesotho. People like Khauhelo Raphepheng are founders of rugby in Lesotho and we have learnt from them to how this game is played like.”
Raphepheng has been elected unopposed as a new FLR Vice Secretary. Selialia also said regardless of electioneering camps that existed ahead of the poll, he still felt comfortable to work with those administrators that supported rival camps.
“I am, however, comfortable to work with them and we are ready to meet this coming week to make strategy of how we are going to work going forward.” Selialia further said: “We have already written to the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC) to help us develop the strategy I am talking about.”
He said the mulled strategy was a five-year plan. “We are going to break it down to be handled annually while we will also make a tactical plan as well. That will help us make a provisional plan of how we are going to work.”
Selialia said he’s going to change a lot in terms of how things should be done compared to the previous years. “I have already told the new executive members that we are not going to be ordinary members but everybody is going to be tasked.”
Ntsane Mahlatsi was elected unopposed as a new Vice President, while Realeboha Segoete was elected as a new Treasurer. Morapeli Motaung, Palesa Pitso and Sdumo Mnigase were all elected as ordinary executive member, while Kananelo Mokhachane and Paul Mari were elected as Women Representative and Players Representative respectively.