Lehata and Tau to become Clean Sport ambassadors

Mosito Lehata (left) is set to become an ambassador in the fight against doping

Top Lesotho athletes Mosito Lehata and Michelle Tau have been chosen to become ambassadors for Clean Sport which is a body promoting education against doping in sports.

The Clean Sport initiative is part of the Africa Zone VI Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO Zone VI). The organisation was established in 2006 by national Olympic committees and government representatives from Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe with the assistance of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to foster doping-free sport in the Zone VI region.

Lesotho Olympic sprinter Lehata and taekwondo specialist Tau were nominated by their respective associations to become the country’s role models in the drive to eradicate sports doping.

Mannerea Ramotšo, who is a board member of RADO Lesotho, said Lehata and Tau have been selected because they have been exemplary athletes that have not tested positive for any prohibited substances.

“They will be given certificates of recognition for complying with RADO and will be used as role models to encourage other aspirating athletes to stay clean by Clean Sport,” Ramotšo said.

Ramotšo said there has been progress in the fight against doping judging from results of testing done at the High Altitude Summer Marathon that took place in December in Mokhotlong.

Eight runners had their samples tested and all have returned negative for any banned substances.

In contrast, in 2015 women’s champion ‘Mamoroallo Tjoka and fellow runner Ramolefi Motsieloa were slapped with a two-year bans after testing positive for banned substances after the 2014 High Altitude Summer Marathon.

Meanwhile, Sekeke Lesole is serving an eight-year ban for being a repeat offender of doping offences.

The 2016 men’s High Altitude marathon was won by Teboho Sello while the women’s race was won by Moleboheng Mafata. Both champions won M100 000 each.

Lehata and Tau are set to be given special awards at the first-ever Lesotho Annual Sport Awards which will be held on March 18 at Avani Maseru Hotel for their exemplary efforts.