Maseru Warriors crowned Lesotho Rugby Independence Championship champions

The FLR's rugby development programme in Leribe

Maseru Warriors have been crowned the inaugural Treasure Investment Rugby Championship champions after beating NUL Spears 17-0 on Saturday afternoon in Mazenod.

The victory meant Warriors remain unbeaten and now have an unassailable lead at the top of the four-team championship.

The Treasure Investment Rugby Championship was introduced by the Federation of Lesotho Rugby in September to commemorate Lesotho’s 50th independence anniversary.

The four teams contesting the championship are Warriors, NUL Spears, Mabote Beavers and LCS and the tournament is scheduled to end on the 3rd of December.

Staying with rugby and the Lesotho Federation of Rugby has stepped up its countrywide development programme. Over the past week the programme has been in Mazenod and Berea and this weekend it touched base in Leribe.

The programme intends to introduce the game to different parts of the country and identify young rugby talent. The initiative is targeting primary and high school pupils and FLR public relations officer Litšitso Motšeremeli said the programme will enhance the future well-being of local rugby by identifying and developing future stars.

He said FLR also wants to ensure budding prospects begin competing in the game at an early age.

FLR development director and national coach Roy Zhou-Nyasha said the programme is also about equipping the kids with life skills.

Nyasha said FLR wants to “develop and instil creativity, character, connection, confidence, competence in young people”.

“We are having life skills sessions at each and every school we visit,” he said.

Finally to cycling and the ACE-Sufferfest mountain bike duo of Teboho Khantsi and Phetetso Monese ensured a successful end to their highly positive season by dominating the popular Cherry Festival MTB race in Ficksburg, South Africa on Saturday.

Ultimately it was Khantsi who claimed honours as he pipped Monese on the line in an exciting sprint finish. It has been a noteworthy year for the pair.  In July they teamed up to compete at the prestigious International Cycling Union MTB World Cup in Switzerland.

In August, Monese then made history by becoming the first Lesotho cyclist to compete at the Olympic Games when he raced at Rio 2016 in Brazil.