Tau named ADEaz brand ambassador

Seabata Mahao

Lesotho Taekwondo Star, Michelle Tau has been announced as the brand ambassador for sports clothing brand, ADEaZ.

The development was announced last week during an event graced by Ministry of Sports, Youth, Recreation, Culture and Social Development, Pitso Lesaoana, ADEaZ executives, Tau’s existing sponsors Alliance Insurance, Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) among other prominent figures.

ADEaZ is a casual and sports clothing brand founded by Kumara Kahadugoda in Toronto, Canada in 2020. Today ADEAZ is designed and manufactured in Lesotho.

Tau is currently training abroad as she plots her way to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She joined the launch virtually, while her mother attended in person.

ADEaZ Apparel founder Kahadugoda said the ADEaZ Trust Fund is going to work directly with Tau to take care of her general needs.

He said even though other sponsors have already taken care of travel among other expenses, they are going to take care of her others expenses including apparel.

“If she needs clothing, we will manufacture for her. We are going to take care of whatever she needs in whatever she needs for as long as needs us,” Kahadugoda stated.

On his part, Sports Minister Pitso Lesaoana commended ADEaZ for recognizing and supporting local sports talent.

“The Ministry is 100 percent behind Michelle Tau’s journey to Paris 2024. We are working towards promoting more athletes to work hand in hand to represent Lesotho in Paris,”

“I have talked to LSRC and LNOC to make sure that the sports in the country are made a priority. With this support from corporates, there is hope for the youth,” Lesaoana stated.

Tau’s mother, Thakane Masopha Tau said the recognition of Tau by one of emerging brands in the world is a motivation to her.

She said although there is no direct monetary benefit included in the deal, she is at ease knowing that her daughter will be taken care of so she can focus on doing what does best, Taekwondo.

“Lesotho has reached a point where I always wished it will, where corporates recognise youth talent.

“Michelle needs all the support she can get from her country. This call by ADEaZ means a lot. It shows that we are growing as a country in sports,” Tau said.

Tau further commended the ADEaZ, the government, Afri-Expo Textiles, Alliance Insurance and other corporates who came through during Michelle’s struggles.

“For a long time, I have been shouldering her expenses until recently when I could no longer afford to. We decided to go public with the situation, and we are grateful for all the sponsors and hope that one day, Tau’s Taekwondo journey will pay off.”

Tau is currently ranked number 1 in Africa and number 4 in the world under women -46kg.

She is currently in Ivory Coast for the upcoming Grand-Prix Championships in June 2023 will be in Rome, Italy.

The Grand-Prix Championships are one of the most prestigious competition in taekwondo which brings together the best 32 athletes per Olympic weight category in the world and Tau will be playing in the under -49kg as the first Lesotho athletes to compete in such tournament.

In April 2023, Tau won bronze medal at the Austrian Open 2023 which was held in Austria then won gold medal at Skopje Ramus Open 2023 which was held in Macedonia. She further won a silver medal at the European Club Championship 2023 in Bulgaria.