The Deputy Principal Secretary (DPS) in the Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation says preparations for 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers are proceeding in a satisfying manner.

Mr. Rethabile Mosisili was addressing the media at a press conference at Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) Offices on Thursday.

He said in November 2006, FIFA sent two stadium inspectors to Lesotho with a view to inspect various facilities that will be used in case Lesotho has to host a FIFA sanctioned match.

He said the facilities inspected included Victoria Hotel, Lesotho Sun Hotel, Queen II Hospital, Moshoeshoe I International Airport, Bambatha Ts'ita Sports Arena and Lehakoe Recreational.

Mr. Mosisili said according to the FIFA inspectors report, the Hotels and the airport meet the required FIFA standards, and Queen Elizabeth II hospital has the most of the equipment required to be used as a referral hospital during international matches.

“As for the Setsoto stadium, there were quite a lot of short falls that disqualifies it as a FIFA accredited stadium as the inspection team recommended that the steel of the stadium structures should be removed”, he said.

He pointed out that as a way to address the problem, a series of meetings, which involved the Ministry of Gender, Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission and Lesotho Football Association were held.

The Deputy Principal Secretary said it has been agreed that Lesotho Home fixtures for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers be played in South Africa pending certain agreements to be reached.

In support of Mr. Mosisili’s statement, LEFA President Mr. Salemane Phafane said preparations are in the pipeline for home fixtures to be played at Seisa Ramabolu Stadium in the Free State Province.


Mr. Phafane said the payments for the gate keeping for the matches will be announced before the end of the year.

The Press Conference was aimed at briefing media regarding preparations made for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup to be played in South Africa in 2008.

Source: LENA 13/03/2008