Berea, May 10 — The Leloko Serobanyane Winter Challenge officially kicked off at the Mapoteng Primary School grounds on Sunday, drawing youth and community members for a day of sporting activities, entertainment and community engagement.
The tournament marks the beginning of a series of matches scheduled to continue until October. The initiative was introduced by Mr. Leloko Serobanyane during the District Football Association (DIFA) off-season to keep young people actively engaged in sports throughout the winter season.
Winning teams and participants are expected to receive prizes at the end of the competition in October.
The event featured soccer competitions for both male and female teams, alongside netball matches, attracting enthusiastic participation from players and supporters.
Entertainment also formed part of the programme, with several individuals showcasing singing and dancing talents. Participants received cash prizes in recognition of their performances.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Serobanyane expressed appreciation to the Mapoteng community for its continued support over the past three years. He said the strong turnout and active participation by players demonstrate the importance of the initiative in keeping young people away from negative influences.
He further noted that the challenge serves as a platform for identifying and nurturing sporting talent while contributing to the development of sports in the area.
Delivering closing remarks, the Minister of Energy and Mining, Mr. Lejone Mpotjoane, commended the initiative, saying it was encouraging to see young people engaging in sports instead of spending time on the streets.
Mr. Mpotjoane also highlighted the Constituency Champions League, in which winning teams from different constituencies compete against each other, adding that the Makhoroana constituency would also take part.
“This Constituency Champions League has top coaches who are able to identify talented players, which may open doors and opportunities for some of the youth,” he said.
He added that many countries benefit economically from sports and stressed the need for Lesotho to maximise opportunities within the sporting sector.
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