The aim of this document is to clarify and give relevant direction, intent and motivation for why it is necessary for Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) to embark on a drive to modernise itself, but most importantly grow itself into a self-sufficient, self-sustaining sports body which fosters and nourishes football as a career path, as a sport but importantly as a social driver for change in Lesotho. All of this done within the context of national sporting pride of producing world class athletes who can compete successfully at the highest levels both at continent level and at a world stage. LEFA is the highest football controlling body in the kingdom of Lesotho, affiliated, locally to Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) and Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC). It is also the largest national sporting association in terms of size (number of affiliates), number of athletes it influences, and by also running the biggest leagues in Lesotho. It is with this in mind, that one can comfortably say LEFA is the flagship federation of the country. Unfortunately this position is not apparent in its image both financially and corporately.
It is important for LEFA to inform the nation and partners about it’s vision, structure, activities so that who ever wants to partner with us has a good feel of what kind of potential there is in such a partnership.
FIFA on the other hand has three pillars which are the core of its mission, that its 208 members are funded to achieve, to ensure a healthy future for football and a positive impact on the world around us. Those are:
Develop the game
Assist member associations (MAs) with infrastructure, develop the human resource and preserve FIFA statutes (regulations, anti doping policies and fighting discrimination).
Touch the World
Football tournaments such as world cups, confederations cup, futsal and beach soccer.
Build a better future
Football is also used as a tool for social change and development. It has the power to contribute to the quality of life of people everywhere. The Football for hope centre all over Africa (Kick 4 Life in Maseru is one example) are used to encourage and inspire, to heal and unite, to educate young people and to teach them values to develop resilience, strength and purpose.
It is within the scope that LEFA derived it’s vision.
LEFA is sporting body that is made up of members who meet in an annual congress to review progress done and give a fresh strategy for the following year. The congress is made up of representatives of Women Football Development Committee (WFDC), District Football Associations (DIFA), Referees Association, Coaches Association and Schools (Primary –LESPA, Secondary-LISA, Colleges and Universities-LUCSA). The elected National Executive Committee (NEC) implements the wishes of the congress through the secretariat, headed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The departments within the secretariat are Facility Management, Administration, Competitions, Technical Department, Referees Desk, Communication and Research, and Accounts. Most staff is based at the Technical Centre in Maseru (Bambatha Sports Arena) while District Executive Officers run offices in each district.
Lesotho Premier League with 12 teams of maximum of 35 players and minimum support of 100 fans;
A Division league with two streams of 10 teams of maximum of 35 players and minimum support of 100 fans;
B Division leagues in 10 districts of Lesotho with teams ranging from a minimum of Nineteen (19) in Quthing to a maximum of seventy sine (79) in Maseru. The leagues are run through zonal committees, where a zone is made up of sixteen (16) teams;
C Division leagues in 10 districts of Lesotho with teams ranging from a minimum of four (4) in Qachas’ Nek to a maximum of seventy eight (78) in Maseru. The leagues are run through zonal committees, where a zone is made up of ten (10) teams (see appendix A for statistics for B and C teams);
Women leagues organised in districts with inter-district competition at the end
Schools of excellence for U-15 boys organised in 14 regions of Lesotho; where Maseru has four regions, leribe has two regions and each of the other eight districts is a region; during regional tournaments, best players are selected for a full week school of excellence camp at Bambatha in June and December;
U-13 primary schools league with district leagues that end with a national tournament where a national team is selected for a Zone VI tournament;
U-17 High schools league organised over eight zones that culminate with a national tournament where a national team is selected for a Zone VI tournament;
Licensing project – through this coaching, refereeing, communication, facilities, player management and overall safety of participants will be improved;
Grassroots football – football development at grassroots is pyramid scheme to attain future participation in FIFA world cup tournaments;
Women football – a potential for Lesotho women has long been proofed and a recent participation of our U-20 in a senior teams tournament in Zimbabwe is a good example;
Goal 3 – two successful projects (goal 1 & 2) have been constructed in Maseru and Mohale’s Hoek. With the assistance of the Ministry of Sport putting up such facitlities in Mafeteng, Qacha’s Nek and Mokhotlong, it will be easy to cover the whole country with suitable facilities to have decent football played by every boy and girl in Lesotho to prepare them better for international competition. The third goal project is planned for Maputsoe. The future of goal projects in Lesotho will be basic office facility with fencing and an artificial turf (which is very easy to maintain);
Contract with Africa – This is mainly a concept that assists Member Associations to use their existing potential to be self sustainable. Bambatha, Mohale’s Hoek and Leribe should be designed to be attractive to the public to be able to raise funds. An application has been send to CAF to fund development at Bambatha. This fund is accessed every four years since 2006.
Website development, facebook portal and quarterly newsletter – It is very important that the public participates in our activities. This is our way of improving our community engagement as well as create a platform to market our services, products and those of our partners.
In principle for all leagues to commence, there is need for balls, bibs, cones and whistles for practice and a jersey for matches (a starter pack);
For zonal leagues, prices are required at the end of the league for zonal representatives during finals within district;
There are also national tournaments where either districts, zones or regions are represented to select a national champion or national teams. Price money is normally required at this stage;
National teams are formed for different age groups from U-17, U-20, U-23 and Senior Team for men and U-15, U20 and Senior Team for women. At this stage requirements are as follows: Transport, Allowances, equipment, Camping and attire.
Special sponsorships are also required for development projects: clinics, referee training and attire, coaches scholarships (also for administrators), international trials for athletes and scholarships for athletes.
Biggest supported sport and participation sport amongst males and females;
Most supported sport by government;
Played by everyone in the family (son, daughter, mother, father and grandfather);
Football is a school of life (you learn team work, counselling, conflict management, business management, project management and best of all family management); in football both team and individual achievement are celebrated, so a member of a team grows both as an individual and a member of a team.
