The Lesotho Amateur Athletics Association and Lesotho National Olympic Committee are reportedly at loggerheads over the number of athletes to be sent to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia in March this year.

LNOC secretary general, Mofihli Makoele said the LAAA had approached them requesting the addition of three athletes, 'Mamokete Lechela, Moleboheng Mafata and Molahlehi Bokaako to the team to Melbourne. This has been rejected.

The LAAA had failed to produce Mafata's documents in time for accreditation processes, Bokaako failed to qualify while Lechela had been given many chances in the past but her performance had not impressed.

'We therefore decided to give other deserving athletes a chance to showcase their talents in this year's Games' he added.

LAAA spokesperson Sejanamane Maphathe refused to comment saying both parties agreed that they would issue a joint press release to the media.

LNOC have similar problems with the table tennis and swimming associations who also feel that their athletes deserve to go to Melbourne in March.

25 January 2006