Special Olympics Lesotho is set for a fresh start after more than a year of inactivity, with the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC) appointing a new interim board to revive the association and restore opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
LSRC president Baba Malephane introduced the new board this week, following a prolonged leadership crisis marked by a power struggle and failure to account for funds.
The interim board, chaired by Palesa Mphohle, begins work immediately, with a handover from the outgoing administration expected and the regional Special Olympics body due in Lesotho soon to induct the new leadership.
Malephane said the appointment followed a directive from continental Special Olympics leadership to find people capable of rebuilding the association.
“When we got into the office we found the Special Olympics had been suspended by the international bodies because there was a mismanagement of funds.
“As the president, I tried to find out what their problems were and that’s when we found out there was misuse of money and infighting,” he said.
He said he deliberately looked beyond his personal network when selecting the new leadership, instead seeking people with relevant experience, including individuals who had previously served on other boards.
Malephane said the names of the appointees were submitted about two months ago after background checks were conducted to ensure the right people were brought on board.
The new interim board comprises Mphohle as chairperson, Dr Kellelo Lerotholi as vice-chairperson, and members Tankiso Phori, ‘Mafumane Makhele, Rabasotho Moeletsi, Jobo Raswoko and ‘Mampho Leshoele. Malephane said the interim board would serve for one year, after which a permanent board would be elected for a four-year term.
He expressed confidence that the new leadership would approach its responsibilities with commitment and help restore the association to functionality.
Mphohle brings longstanding experience to the task. She was among the founding members of Special Olympics Lesotho when the association was established in 1987.
She is also an advocate for inclusive services for people with intellectual disabilities and children with disabilities, and was one of the founders of the Lesotho Society of Mentally Handicapped Persons. Her experience, Malephane said, made her particularly suited to helping lead the revival of the association.
Mphohle acknowledged the weight of the responsibility placed on the new board, saying its priority would be to ensure athletes return to competition.
“We accept the responsibility we have been given. We don’t take it lightly because we are talking about people with intellectual disability. They are delicate, our eyes have to be sharp to ensure the people we are representing are involved in sports,” she said.
The new leadership now faces the task of rebuilding confidence in Special Olympics Lesotho while working to restore its standing with international bodies.
For athletes who have been left on the sidelines during the association’s prolonged paralysis, the ultimate measure of the new board’s success will be whether it can get them back into organised sport and competing on the international stage.
Malephane said that objective was central to the decision to intervene.
“I was asked by (the) continental president to identify people who can revive the Special Olympics Lesotho, and not deny our athletes an opportunity to compete internationally.”
Summary
- Special Olympics Lesotho is set for a fresh start after more than a year of inactivity, with the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC) appointing a new interim board to revive the association and restore opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
- The interim board, chaired by Palesa Mphohle, begins work immediately, with a handover from the outgoing administration expected and the regional Special Olympics body due in Lesotho soon to induct the new leadership.
- For athletes who have been left on the sidelines during the association’s prolonged paralysis, the ultimate measure of the new board’s success will be whether it can get them back into organised sport and competing on the international stage.
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