Maseru
The president of the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA),Salemane Phafane (Pictured) did not mince his words when he boldly said that the government through its Ministry of Sports is an embarrassment and should do more to support the Association to run the national teams.
Speaking at a press conference at the association’s office in Maseru on Monday, the tough talking Phafane accused the sports Ministry from neglecting its responsibilities in supporting the national teams under the auspices of LeFA. He stressed that the governing body is grappling financially to administer some of the national teams while the ministry is shying away from its obligations.
“I can safely say they are an embarrassment, I fail to understand how they are able to rub shoulders and engage with sports ministers from other countries while they are failing to provide for its own federation, they should be ashamed of themselves, “he said.
Phafane also made scathing attack to the ministry for not only neglecting the senior national teams but the junior national teams as well. He said from the developmental structures, they (LeFA) oversee that despite their financial resources restraints, the junior ranks are well administered and they continue to expose them to opportunities and activities that will expedite their development.
“You would believe that since there are not so many expenses to incur for the junior teams, they would at least try to help us out but that is not the case. They keep singing the same song that the ministry does not have enough money and that they were not given an adequate allocation by the parliament. we are focusing on developing our youth. We have the U-15,U17 and the U20, all of them are administered by LeFA without any support. ”He said.
Phafane then expressed his pessimism regarding the issue of Setsoto Stadium . H e said by the look of things, Likuena and other national teams will play home matches on foreign soil unless the government expedites the mini revamp which is currently halted.”We have counselled our players to forget home ground advantage for now. The way things are, it seems we will stiil resor to South Africa to host our matches.”Phafane said.
