Mothebe, Khotlele qualify for Paralympic Games in Rio

Luciah Phahla

Maseru

Only two athletes, Sello Mothebe and Litšitso Khotlele, have qualified for the 2016 Paralympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in September.

The development was announced by National Paralympics Committee of Lesotho (NAPCOL) coach representative Thabiso Ratšoane at a press conference held yesterday.

The Paralympics are held every four years and are the major international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities. They will take place from September 7 to 18.

“This year we will have two athletes who will be representing Lesotho at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in September. They are the only two that qualified for these Games,” Ratšoane said.

This year two new sports, canoeing and the paratriathlon, will be introduced to the Paralympics programme.

The conference also revealed ‘Makhabo Seme will represent the country at the Miss Deaf Africa beauty pageant to be held next month in Cape Town, South Africa after she was crowned Miss Deaf Lesotho last Saturday.

Public relations officer Nteboheng Kele said NAPCOL is hoping Seme will keep the crown in the country as the current Miss Deaf Africa is Lesotho’s Tlhokomelo Sabole.

“We are hoping that she will bring the crown back home and take it from Tlhokomelo who is the current queen,” Kele said.

Kele also thanked NAPCOL’s sponsors including Lesotho Flour Mills and Royal Beauty salon for backing last weekend’s beauty contest.

The pageant featured three categories.

The Miss Deaf section was won by Seme with the first princess going to Thakane Tšeole and second princess to ‘Malehloa Chefa.

In the visually impaired competition the crown was claimed by Moretlo Letšoara while Mahlape Ramokhibi and Keneuoe Masaena were first and second runners-up respectively.

The last category was for people with physical disability and was won by Pulane Bulane. The runners-up were Thakanyane Shokhoe and Lerato Leboea.

Lesotho Flour Mills information officer Bofihla Nneko said the company will continue to lend a helping hand to sport as part of giving back. He also urged other companies to support sport in Lesotho.

“Our plan is to support sport in the country and we want to work with (NAPCOL) going forward. Our doors are always open for anyone who wants us to help. As you know we recently held a (football) tournament in Mohale’s Hoek and we are also sponsoring Bantu (football club),” Nneko said.