Phafane’s message to the new minister

MASERU – The president of the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA), Advocate Salemane Phafane, has reiterated his claims that the previous regime at the Ministry of Sport interfered with the association’s elections last year.

Phafane addressed the association’s ordinary congress on Saturday at Mojalefa Lephole Victory Hall. He was addressing the congress while also conveying a message to the new Minister of Sport Pitso Lesaoana about how his predecessors had failed.

He stated that it is no secret that the relationship between the ministry and the association was at its lowest point in history. He claimed it was unhealthy.

He went on to say that he couldn’t remember the last time the ministry set foot in Bambatha, or even saw their teams off to play international games. Relations had deteriorated to the point where neither party could agree on anything or everything.

During last year’s elective congress, Phafane spoke publicly about the ministry’s meddling and attempt to cause destabilisation.

The Directorate on Criminal and Economic Offences (DCEO) raided DIFA Leribe, seizing receipt books and other equipment. He claimed they were seized for no reason other than to cause instability.

“The ministry got itself entangled in the internal politics of LEFA, you will remember that. I spoke about it in the last congress that we knew for a fact there were people who were sponsored by the ministry to go and campaign for other people in the districts. That was terribly unacceptable.” He said.

“We know that government motor vehicles were released to people who are not employed by the government.

They were released to them to go campaign in the districts because certain people had to be removed and certain people had to be installed. That was meddling in the affairs of LEFA.” He continued.

Phafane stated that now that the ministry has new leadership, he believes they will begin to enjoy their home.

He stated that they do not see the ministry or the sports commission as opponents or enemies, but that they hope that lessons have been learned and that there will be no further interference in the affairs of the federation.

“They were dreading on a very dangerous ground which could if we had elevated it, it could or might have resulted in the suspension of LEFA from international competitions.” He said.

The ministry’s director of sports Puisano Tšosane was present and did not waste time to send a message to her.

“So we believe madam director that you will be advising the new minister accordingly as to how the ministry has to relate with the federation. We are dying to come to our home.

We can’t wait to come to the Ministry of Sports which we haven’t been able to do in years.” He said.

“Please communicate with the minster that we are dying to see him and we are dying to invite him to our facilities and introduce him to say ‘this is what we have done, this is what we have built.

Minister this is how you may go about getting Setsoto back in order. This is where your predecessor lost it resulting in the condemnation of Setsoto.” He said.

He also urged the Members of Parliament present, including DIFA Leribe Vice President, to champion the interests of football and all sports in general, and to send a message to MPs that LEFA is not their enemy.

“LEFA is their friend and that they can go places if they came to understand just how important sport is especially football.

And they came to understand they could work with and through LEFA to change this country they would go places.” He said.

Tlalane Phahla