… How sports brought healthcare to Ha Maphohloane’s youth
Kananelo Boloetse
On Saturday, September 14, the usually serene village of Ha Maphohloane in Mohale’s Hoek came alive with the laughter of children, the rhythmic beats of local music, and the uncontainable energy of community spirit.
What appeared to be a typical sports day was, in fact, a pioneering initiative that blended fun, healthcare outreach, and engagement for the youth of the area.
The event, a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, USAID, and the Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission (LSRC), was not just a day of fun and games, it was an innovative approach to bringing critical health services closer to children and adolescents.
The dusty football ground, near a cemetery, typically quiet, took on a new life.
Children from Ha Maphohloane and nearby villages arrived to partake in a celebration that combined the excitement of sports with access to vital healthcare services. From the moment the first notes of local music rang out, the atmosphere was one of vibrancy and unity.
Music from some of Lesotho’s favourite artists – Sannere, Malome Vector, and Ntate Stunna – poured from large speakers, filling the air with familiar beats that had the crowd dancing even before the official program began.
Before long, the sports grounds were filled with excited young people, eagerly waiting to compete in various sporting events.
Sports events are often powerful platforms for uniting communities, and this event capitalized on that potential. By turning the spotlight on healthcare, the organisers found a way to ensure the youth and their families received essential services while enjoying themselves.
Health tents offering vaccinations, blood pressure checks, and other services were set up around the sports grounds, allowing easy access for everyone—young and old alike.
But what truly set this day apart from the typical government event was its energy. Unlike the long speeches and drawn-out formalities that often bore attendees, this was a celebration in every sense.
When the games kicked off, it was not just the usual football and netball on display. Instead, the event featured a variety of exciting challenges, many of which mirrored the viral sports challenges seen on social media.
Villages competed against one another in creative and physically engaging activities that kept spectators on their feet, cheering and dancing in between rounds.
As the games progressed, it became clear that this was more than just a fun day out. The health services offered at the event served as a reminder of the serious goal behind the celebration: to bridge healthcare gaps for children and adolescents, particularly in rural areas where access to medical care can be limited.
While the day was designed for youth, even older community members took advantage of the health services on offer, popping into the tents for blood pressure checks and consultations.
For us journalists from Maseru, who traveled over 100 kilometers to cover the event, what we expected to be a long day turned into a surprisingly short and enjoyable one. Being surrounded by children and the infectious energy of the village left us with a sense of satisfaction and unexpected joy.
The day’s seamless blend of health awareness, fun, and community spirit was unlike anything we had imagined.
Even the Minister of Sports, Youth, Culture, and Tourism, Motlatsi Maqelepo, joined in the day’s lighthearted mood. Rather than delivering a lengthy speech, he spent most of the day under a tent, quietly watching the children play and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.
It wasn’t until later in the afternoon that he briefly took the microphone to officially close the event—a perfect reflection of the day’s refreshing informality.
Of course, the day would not have been complete without the signature quirk of August and September in Lesotho: strong winds and swirling dust.
These two months are notorious for their strong winds and swirling dust, and this day was no exception. Imagine playing football with gusts of wind stealing the ball’s direction just as you are about to score!
The weather seemed determined to challenge the event, but despite the jealous, unpredictable conditions, the games went on with unabated enthusiasm.
For those like the author of this article, whose frame might be best described as “thin”, walking against the wind was its own sport, requiring a great deal of effort to stay on course, especially when heading directly into the gusts.
However, for the children, this was simply another opportunity to find joy in the moment. Kids, with their endless curiosity and imagination, seemed to view the wind as another playful element in their day of fun. While adults strained to keep their balance, the youngsters laughed, chasing dust clouds and relishing the challenge of running against the breeze.
The weather may have tried to steal the show with its unpredictable gusts, but in the end, it only added to the charm of the day.
The event’s combination of sports and healthcare outreach served as a reminder that addressing serious issues like health disparities does not always have to be formal or boring. Instead, it can be joyful, communal, and filled with life—just like the children running against the wind.
As the sun set and the dust finally began to settle, the legacy of the day was clear: a community brought closer together, children and adolescents receiving the healthcare they need, and a collective memory of joy and unity.
The event marked a significant step in ensuring that the youth of Lesotho can access the health services they deserve, all while celebrating the spirit of life that no amount of wind could ever blow away.
By embracing the power of sports and culture, the Ministry of Health and its partners showed that bringing services closer to the people does not have to be a routine affair, it can be an opportunity to inspire and connect.
