LSRC rolls out early nationwide talent search for AUSC Region 5 Games

The Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC), through Team Lesotho management, briefed the media today on the country’s roadmap towards the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games scheduled for December 2026 in Maputo, Mozambique.

Addressing the press on Wednesday 28th January, Head of Delegation and Chef de Mission Mr Refiloe Maphallela revealed that preparations will formally get underway on 14th February with the launch of a countrywide athlete identification mission. The initiative will move from district to district, beginning in Butha-Buthe, and will continue until September 2026.

The scouting programme is designed to uncover outstanding young sportsmen and women who will be channelled into the National Youth Games in October. From there, the strongest performers will be filtered into a final squad to represent Lesotho at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games. Beyond Maputo 2026, the process is also intended to build a talent pipeline for the 2027 African Games in Egypt and the 2028 AUSC Region 5 Games to be hosted in South Africa.

LSRC spokesperson Advocate Jobo Raswoko said the Commission had taken a deliberate decision to start planning well in advance after recognising the importance of early preparation. He explained that the Commission will cover all ten districts to ensure that promising athletes are identified, developed and supported regardless of their geographic location.

Mr Maphallela noted that in past editions of the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games, Lesotho’s preparations were often delayed, which negatively affected performance. He said the new approach prioritises long-term planning, with athletes progressing from district level competitions into successive stages until a national team is confirmed.

Team Manager Mrs ’Malineo Makhang also informed the media that the district youth games will officially commence in Botha-Bothe on 14th February 2026. She stated that the programme will feature a range of sporting disciplines, among them basketball, boxing, taekwondo, netball and football, with additional codes also expected to be included. Mrs Makhang further disclosed that M700,000 has been ring-fenced to fund the preparation phase of the youth games.

The delegation, under the leadership of Mr Maphallela, has been tasked with overseeing and evaluating the entire process, from the initial district competitions through to Lesotho’s participation at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games in Maputo later in the year.