Defying age limits in women’s sports

As Legends Netball Tournament kicks-off

SEBONGILE MATHE

MASERU – The Lesotho Netball Association has announced an upcoming National Over-40 Netball Tournament, to be held on March 28 to 29 at the Maseru Club netball and the Lesotho College of Education (LCE) courts.

This event will welcome participating teams not only from Lesotho, but also from South Africa and Botswana.

Mary Mokoatle, chairperson of the organising committee, revealed exciting details about the Lesotho teams. Four teams, categorized as Maseru Legend 1 through to 4, will represent the nation.

Maseru Legend 1 boasts a squad of nine players, Maseru Legend 2 has twelve, Maseru Legend 3 ten and Maseru Legend 4 nine.

This totals thirty players representing Lesotho, and a total of 32 teams will participate in this tournament, both from Botswana and South Africa. Botswana will be represented by two teams. South Africa on the other hand has numerous teams representing all its nine provinces.

Mokoatle emphasized the teams’ dedication, highlighting their hard training schedule since last year. She expressed huge confidence in their ability to secure a victory on home soil.

This year marks the sixth edition of the annual tournament, although it is held three times yearly. According to Mokoatle, this is not their first invitation.

They previously participated in two tournaments. The first experience was in Mpumalanga, with a smaller team of only eight players. Their second experience, in KwaZulu-Natal, sparked a greater interest in the tournament, leading to their participation in this year’s event.

‘Malitsietsi Zwakala, acting CEO of the Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission (LSRC), spoke at the event, emphasizing the tournaments’ potential for economic growth due to the large number of visiting teams.

She also urged other national federations to consider introducing similar Over-40 competitions as a means of promoting recreation.

This Friday, the tournament will officially begin with an opening ceremony, graced by the presence of the Minister of Sports Motlatsi Maqelepo.

Lesotho Maseru Legends Team Coaching Staff:

Maseru Legend 1:

Team Manager: Mary Mokoatle

Coach: ‘Mamonehela Mahao

Assistant Coach: Ninile ‘Mabathoana

Maseru Legend 2:

Team Manager: ‘Mabisa Mphafi

Coach: ’Mathabiso Hlakane

Assistant Coach: Sheila Moluoane

Maseru Legend 3:

Team Manager: Palesa Molise

Coach: Neo Mokone

Assistant Coach: Kandase Jele

Maseru Legend 4:

Team Manager: ‘Mathapelo Tšoenyo

Coach: Thabang Monese

Assistant Coach: Lesimole Moletsane.