METROPOLITAN SPONSORS UNDER 20 WITH M150 000 WORTH OF GEAR
	Maseru, June 04 – Metropolitan Lesotho has sponsored the national Under 20 team, Makoanyane XI with sport equipment worth M150 000.00 at a ceremony held in Victoria Hotel on Saturday evening. The one year sponsorship includes sports wear, soccer kits, soccer balls, sports bags and caps, all of Adidas brand, which will be used by the under 20 national squad in international tournaments. Speaking at this occasion, Government Secretary Mr. Tlohang Sekhamane urged local teams to perform well in order to attract sponsors, saying times of Lesotho teams being the 'whipping boys' are over. On the other hand, he said the Government is on the process of introducing tax rebates to companies which invest in sports but warned such companies to make a meaningful contribution by injecting huge sums of money. Speaking at the same function, Vice-President of Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission, Ms. 'Mathabo Makenete urged the government to speed up implementation of assisting the companies and Basotho business community who sponsor tournaments at villages through tax exemption. She pointed out that they are happy with Metropolitan since the company has shown interest in developing the sport with the equipment. Ms. Makenete said she hoped that the marriage between LEFA and Metropolitan would last longer for the benefit of both institutions. Metropolitan's Managing Director Mr. Tshwane Mphahlele said it is part of their pledge to support positive health, and recreation as well as to foster national pride as part of their contribution to promote Lesotho in the best light with her best foot forward. He said Makoanyane XI has given the best of themselves and has had a very good recent run of victories that testify to great teamwork, great discipline and excellent performance.. On behalf of LEFA executive, Mr. Thabo Pule applauded the company for being so loyal and fulfilling their promise they made sometime ago that they would like to assist the association in its efforts to promote soccer. He pointed out that the attire would boost the team's confidence even before they enter into the pitch as they will feel superior just because of good appearance. Mr. Pule conveyed his hopes that their partnership with Metropolitan which started a couple of years ago will continue to grow. Meanwhile, Makoanyane XI starts camping at Bambatha Ts'ita sports arena on Tuesday in preparation for the Supreme Council of Sports in Africa (SCSA), Zone Six to be held in Windhoek, Namibia starting on June 26 to July 05.
	Source: LENA