Quartet named for Cape Verde challenge

NTHAKO MAJORO

MASERU – Lesotho has named four players selected for the inaugural Africa beach volleyball tournament, which is scheduled for Sal City in Cape Verde from June 14-23.

According to the public relations officer of the Lesotho Volleyball Association (LVA) Buller Phalatse, the quartet comprises Moholo Lekomola and Rampesa Leabua, ’Mateboho Ncheke and Tholoana Malefane forming both the men and women’s teams.

Phalatse said the four were selected on the basis of their performance at the recent preparation games for the West African Island games.

The last matches were played last month at the Makoanyane Barracks play ground in Maseru.

“The four were selected from a series of domestic preparation games and tournaments held in previous months. We are satisfied with their performance and we believe they will perform well,” Phalatse told Public Eye in an interview on Tuesday.

He said they have pinned their hopes on the men’s team, owing to its international experience.

The two male players competed at last year’s Commonwealth Games qualifiers, although they did not qualify for the global multi-sport event.

“This is will not be the first time Lekomola and Leabua compete at the beach volleyball tournament. They competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games qualifiers, hence, we are hopeful that their experience will come in handy at the Africa Beach Volleyball Games.

“But their female counterparts will make their debut appearance at that level of competition.”

Palatse added: “However, we are confident that they will perform well and with time they will improve as they are up and coming beach volleyball players.”

The intention he said is to expose the four to several international games well ahead of the continental event.

“We plan to expose the players to numerous international tournaments before the June Africa Beach Volleyball Games.

“We are targeting tournaments in Durban, which are normally held from time to time around this time of the year,” he also said.