LBA finalists share purse money
…as the final match fails to take off due to a lack of lights
NTHAKO MAJORO
MASERU – Finalists of the Lesotho Basketball Association (LBA)’s inaugural Back to School Ladies and Under-23 Tournament, which was held at the Ratjomose Sports Ground last Saturday, have shared the purse money worth M1 260, instead of playing the final game.
The match was unable to be held because it was already dark and the Ratjomose Basketball Courts do not have lights.
According to LBA’s public relations officer, Sam Motsamai, this prompted Bokamoso Sharks, and Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP)’s Swimming Birds into agreeing to share the prize money.
Sharks and LP competed against the Tigers, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) Ladies, Razzmatazz, and another LP ladies side for the maiden title of the tournament.
“The women’s final did not take place as it was late and there are no lights at the Ratjomose courts,” said Motsamai in an interview with Public Eye on Monday.
Motsamai added, “We sat down with the two finalists before the game and deliberated on whether or not to reschedule their match. We all agreed that the two would instead share the prize money.”
The men’s under-23 was held on the same court earlier that day, before it was dark.
“Apart from that, the tournament in general was a great success. We managed to hold the men’s under-23 final and crown T.E.F. (Team Engoe Feela) the champions,” said Motsamai.
T.E.F. beat LP men’s side 21-16 to lift the inaugural title of the Men’s Under-23 Back to School Tournament.
T.E.F. and LP competed against teams such as Bafana Ba Strong, Morija Basketball Club, Lichocha, and LUCT.
LP beat Bafana Ba Strong 33-29 and Morija 25-7 to book a place in the final, while the champions T.E.F. beat LUCT 21-9 and Lichocha 17-4 to make it to the final.
T.E.F. took home M1 260 for winning the Men’s Under-23 Tournament.
In the women’s category, Swimming Birds beat their sister club, LP Angels, 18-2, and Lepereng Ladies, 11-7, while Sharks beat Tigers 33-14 and Razzmatazz 21-15 to reach the final, which, however, did not take place.
The main purpose of the competition was to empower women basketball players as well as develop youngsters; hence, the inclusion of men’s under-23 tournament.
Meanwhile, LBA is soon to hold high schools top 8 and top 4 finals, which are set to take place from February 17–18, while the LBA major league kick-off has been scheduled for February 23.