NATIONAL UNDER 20 NETBALL TEAM DROPPED FROM SCSA ZONE VI GAMES
	Maseru, June 09 - The U-20 team netball team has been withdrawn from participating at the Supreme Council of Sports in Africa (SCSA) Zone VI Games to be hosted in Namibia starting from June 26 to July 05 this year. In an interview, head of Delegation Dr. Lebohang Khomari said the decision follows investigations into allegations that some members of the team were above the required age. She said acting on such allegations, they found that twin sisters studying at Lerotholi Polytechnic possess more than one passport with different birth dates. 'We decided to drop the entire team as we no longer trusted the officials, also because the Minister of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation had us against age-cheating,' she commented. Dr. Khomari stated that the chairperson of the Zone VI organising committee had made it clear that if one country is found guilty of using an over-age player, the entire delegation will be expelled from the Games. 'We are prepared to pay the penalty for withdrawing the Netball team from the Games than face the humiliation of being expelled. This happens despite having told team managers well in advance that they ought to abide by the rules and regulations of the competition,' she highlighted. Dr. Khomari further said the teams are now expected to start intensive training in preparations for the Games now that the Ministry has approved the budget for the tournament and that the schools will be closed for Winter break. However, the manager of the team Mrs. 'Makhotso Mokoatle said she knew nothing about the whole issue and that no one had told her that Netball team is no longer going to Namibia. This means Lesotho will now be represented only in Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Tennis and Athletics for People with Disability.
	Source: LENA