This week, a host of countries welcomed their Olympians back. By all accounts, the Olympics is the pinnacle of an athlete’s competition meets. Just qualifying is no mean feat.
Of course Lesotho had three representatives in Paris, namely Michelle Tau, the Taekwondo player, as well as runners Tebello Ramakongoana and Mokulubete Makatisi.
As it happens, our neighbours Botswana and South Africa both welcomed their athletes amid great fanfare; of course their teams had gold and silver medalists among them. Botswana President Masisi spoke with great pride as he welcomed Letsile Tebogo and the squad back, while also giving them pregnant cows as gifts. A wonderful gesture to young people and the country now reaping the rewards of investment in sports.
Meanwhile, here at home we had an understandably more low-key return for our two runners – with Michelle Tau heading straight back to her camp in Spain. Their return was marked by a smaller procession though still quite high profile as our sports minister greeted them at the airport.
A few colleagues of mine, namely Nkopane Ntholi and Skhaftin Lebea took it upon themselves to host a meet-and-greet for the duo at a popular restaurant. The LNOC came to the party and we were able to enjoy a fitting tribute to our star performers. It was lovely to interact with both athletes and I especially enjoyed Tebello’s chat, being a man from Qacha’s Nek!
Lesotho’s relationship with sport is an interesting one. Sport has potential to play a pivotal role in nation building as well as economic development, not to mention it offers an alternative source of recreation for young people, allowing us to get people off the streets and focus on an activity that’s beneficial rather than harmful to the average person.
It is my firm view that the government, corporates as well as us the media should pour more resources into sport. We should actively encourage our future stars to play more and give more different sports a go. We need to restart the great Taekwondo culture that permeated the country throughout the 80s. We need to give rise to tennis once again, and to develop golfers, fencers, marathon runners and rowers. All of these sports are within reach.
The 2028 Olympics needs to find Lesotho boasting a team of 20/30 athletes with genuine medal contenders. Tebello has promised a medal at the next games, and I believe him!
Parents, partners and friends have to redouble their efforts to support prospective sports stars. We need Basotho to embark on “Project Mbappe” with a view to nurturing sporting talent. Our high altitude is a bonus that we are yet to fully take advantage of. It is time to broke the shackles and go all in.
If it sounds like I’m inspired it’s because I am. That’s what being around Olympians will do to you. I want that for the whole country! Let’s do it. Project 2028 begins now for all of us! Let’s play our part…
