Eight of the country’s most promising athletes have been handed a golden opportunity to pursue their Olympic dreams after being awarded four-year Olympic Solidarity scholarships, marking a major boost in the country’s preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) announced the awards on this week, describing them as one of the most significant investments in athlete development in recent years.
According to the LNOC, the six athletes, four from athletics and two from cycling, will begin receiving funding immediately, while two boxers will join later once the Lesotho Boxing Association (LEBA) finalises its affiliation with World Boxing, the International Olympic Committee (IOC)-recognised governing body that replaced the now-defunct International Boxing Association (IBA).
The confirmed names are Tebello Ramakongoana, the national marathon record holder (2:06:18) and history-maker after finishing 7th at the 2024 Paris Olympics; Kamohelo Mofolo, a rising long-distance talent and national 10km record holder, recently crowned champion of the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon; ‘Mamakoli Senauoane , the national 400m record holder; ‘Manqabang Tsibela, a middle-distance sensation who broke the national 3000m record at just 14 years old in 2018; Kabelo Makatile, the national road cycling champion; and Pontšo Makatile, Kabelo’s sister and the national women’s cycling champion.
Two boxers, whose names have not yet been disclosed, will be added to the programme once LEBA completes its realignment with World Boxing, a process that includes constitutional reforms and ratification by the association’s national congress to restore Olympic eligibility.
Each athlete will receive a monthly stipend of M19,000, paid directly into their accounts to cover training, coaching, travel, and competition expenses. The scholarships will be renewed every four months based on performance and accountability reviews.
“Just last week we received confirmation that our scholarship application was accepted,” said Mark West, LNOC’s Head of Sport Services.
“Initially, we were recommended to apply for six scholarships, but we were later allowed to increase that number provided we maintained gender balance. You’ll notice the ratio is equal, four men and four women, and the stipends are the same.”
West highlighted that the initiative represents a long-term investment in Lesotho’s sporting future.
“They are very young athletes. We are excited because this is not just an investment for now but for the future. Qualification is never easy, but we have great confidence in them.”
The Olympic Solidarity Programme, funded by the IOC, provides athletes from developing nations with the financial and technical support needed to reach Olympic qualification standards.
The LNOC hopes that with consistent funding, expert coaching, and international exposure, this new generation of athletes will represent Lesotho not just to participate, but to contend at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Summary
- Eight of the country’s most promising athletes have been handed a golden opportunity to pursue their Olympic dreams after being awarded four-year Olympic Solidarity scholarships, marking a major boost in the country’s preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
- The Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) announced the awards on this week, describing them as one of the most significant investments in athlete development in recent years.
- According to the LNOC, the six athletes, four from athletics and two from cycling, will begin receiving funding immediately, while two boxers will join later once the Lesotho Boxing Association (LEBA) finalises its affiliation with World Boxing, the International Olympic Committee (IOC)-recognised governing body that replaced the now-defunct International Boxing Association (IBA).
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.
