The Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho has pledged commitment to continue supporting the National University of Lesotho (NUL) in its endeavours geared towards facilitating quality education.

Handing over 10 sets of table tennis to the University at a ceremony held at Roma Campus on Thursday, Prof. Gao Deyi said the donation is evident of the good relations that exist between the Lesotho and Chinese government.

He said the intention of the donation is to encourage students to participate in sports for their physical and emotional wellbeing.

'If used properly, facilities like this can go an extra mile in improving the concentration of the students and creating healthy minds,' he commented.

Prof. Deyi said the Chinese government will continue to provide scholarships to NUL students who would like to further their studies and obtain Masters degrees in China.

Accepting the donation, NUL Vice Chancellor, Prof Adelani Ogunrinade expressed hope that the gesture has marked the beginning of more to come in facilitation of different sporting activities on campus.

He advised students to study hard and engage in sport when they do not have lectures and to stop abusing alcohol like they do.

Professor Ogunrinade said the donation will enable students to excel in table tennis tournaments especially during the intervasity games.

On the other hand, the Students Representative Committee (SRC) President Mr. Caston Thaanyane said availability of table tennis equipment will encourage more students to engage in the sport.

He said the plan is to establish table tennis league for the promotion of the sport within the campus.

'Participating in sport can be used as mitigation to keep students busy and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst them,' he remarked.

The donation valued at M20,000.00 follows the Vice Chancellor's request for assistance in building sporting codes on campus.

After the handing over ceremony, an exhibition game was played between NUL staff and the Chinese Ambassador and his team.

Nine of the ten sets of table tennis donated will be placed in different halls of residence for students while one will be used by the NUL staff.

Students at NUL are already taking part in sporting activities that include baseball, volleyball, soccer and rugby. 

Source: LENA 03/07/2009