Mokhotho retains seat at LAC
BOKANG MOSHOESHOE
MASERU – Moroke Mokhotho has retained his chairmanship of the Lesotho Athletics Committee (LAC) unopposed – a position that gives him a seat on the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) board. The country’s history-making boxer and Rio 2016 Olympian was re-elected unopposed for the second term at the LAC elective conference on February 8 in Maseru.
The athletics body is charged with ensuring to empower athletes, enhance sports development and promote athlete welfare. The committee which is made up of nine members has seven elected during the elective AGM and the other two appointed by the Lesotho National Olympic Committee board.
The requirement is for them to have a history in either the Olympic games or common wealth games. There will not be much of new faces as several other members remain in the committee though in different roles with the likes of Tšepang Sello, Likeleli Masitise and Tlholohelo Nthejane still in the committee.
Sello who has previously served as vice-chairperson has now been elected as secretary while Masitise, formerly the vice secretary has taken over as vice-chairperson. Nthejane has retained his PRO position with two other members Malefetsane Lesofe as vice secretary, Lieketseng Ngatane, as treasurer. Refiloe Chopho is an ordinary member.
With the LAC’s key objectives in mind – promoting sports development, protecting athlete’s rights and ensuring good governance – the new committee is expected to play a huge role in shaping the future of sports and ensuring sports development in the country.
Mokhotho was, last year, elected to the Commonwealth Sport Athletes’ Advisor Committee as representative for Africa – an elevation that was publicized as a great honour for the former national boxing superstar to be appointed to such a prestigious platform representing the continent.
In his days as an active athlete, Mokhotho competed in three editions of the Commonwealth Games – in Glasgow 2014, Gold Coast in 2018 and Birmingham in 2022 – his crowning moment was when he qualified and competed in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Since he hung his gloves in 2022, he has been relentless in his pursuit to develop his boxing and to improve the lives of athletes of all sporting codes. His efforts have been documented in the local press and by the International Olympic Committee.
The same year he launched his academy, Rocket Sport Academy, at a colourful event at Ha Thetsane in Maseru, in which he also entered into a working relationship with Lesia High School, found in the same area.
