The Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR) has issued an urgent plea to government to rescue this weekend’s Tri-Nations Rugby Cup fixture, warning that the tournament is on the brink of collapse due to lack of financial support.
FLR’s President Fetang Selialia revealed on Wednesday that the government has failed to respond to requests for assistance submitted last year, leaving the rugby body struggling to meet basic hosting obligations for Saturday’s match against Eswatini at Mejametalana Ground.
The government’s silence has already cost the tournament one participant. Botswana withdrew last week, citing uncertainty over accommodation and logistics that raised serious questions about Lesotho’s capacity to host international rugby fixtures.
“We wrote to the government through the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC) last year after we were confirmed as hosts,” said Selialia.
“We needed help with accommodation for our visitors and other logistics, but to this day we have not received any response. We are now pleading with our government not to abandon us.”
Selialia confirmed that the government’s inaction contributed directly to Botswana’s decision, though he acknowledged other factors were involved.
“It was not only because of us. They had their own internal reasons, but the fact that we could not give them firm accommodation assurances played a role,” he explained.
With Eswatini still committed to the fixture, the FLR has appealed to the visiting team to “come with faith” that the government will not leave them stranded in Maseru.
However, Selialia’s comments painted a picture of a sport starved of institutional support.
The FLR receives an annual subvention of just M40, 000 from the government, an amount Selialia described as barely enough to “keep the lights on.” Rugby has been formally structured under the FLR since 2012, yet chronic underfunding continues to plague the sport.
“We appreciate the support of LSRC and the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC), but rugby is an expensive, high-impact sport. Our players lack basic things like supplements and access to proper gym facilities. These are essentials in other countries, yet luxuries here. This is a plea for help.”
The funding crisis has left Lesotho without a dedicated rugby ground, forcing the national team to play at multipurpose venues. Selialia emphasised that the stakes extend beyond Saturday’s match, arguing that rugby holds potential for social transformation and economic growth.
“We have young players with enormous potential. They just need the right support structure. Rugby teaches discipline, teamwork, and leadership values that go beyond the field. It deserves recognition and investment,” he added.
Contacted for comment, Thabo Tsiki the Director of Sports in the Ministry of Sports acknowledged receipt of FLR’s request but was not forthcoming with more details.
“I am not at liberty to talk about this issue as it is currently being processed, so I do not have full details of how far it has gone. I will ask the Principal Secretary or the Ministry’s Chief Financial Officer about it,” Tsiki said.
Meanwhile, in the absence of government support, the private sector has stepped in. The national team, Likatola, will wear a new playing kit donated by ETL, manufactured by Indian sportswear company Stag Global, which has expressed interest in establishing a production facility in Lesotho.
“This new jersey will give our players confidence, even in these difficult times when we face a lack of investment from our government in sport. We thank Econet. It is very difficult to secure sponsorship in this country, but they have been with us.”
The new strip features Lesotho’s national colours: a green shirt with blue fading toward the bottom, paired with blue shorts. For Selialia, it represents more than athletic wear it symbolises the determination of a rugby fraternity fighting for recognition.
Selialia has called on Basotho to fill Mejametalana Ground on Saturday to demonstrate that rugby has a future in Lesotho.
“It is not just about the Springboks. We have our own heroes here.”
The FLR president framed Saturday’s fixture as a test not only of athletic ability but of national commitment to sporting development.
“This is not just about one game. It is about the future of rugby in Lesotho,” he said.
Summary
- The Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR) has issued an urgent plea to government to rescue this weekend’s Tri-Nations Rugby Cup fixture, warning that the tournament is on the brink of collapse due to lack of financial support.
- With Eswatini still committed to the fixture, the FLR has appealed to the visiting team to “come with faith” that the government will not leave them stranded in Maseru.
- “I am not at liberty to talk about this issue as it is currently being processed, so I do not have full details of how far it has gone.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
