By Bereng Mpaki

MASERU-The Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) has identified four sporting codes whose athletes are to receive support ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.

According to the LNOC spokesperson Mr Moshoeshoe Mokake, athletics, boxing, taekwondo and cycling are part of the organisation’s scholarship programme, as the country steps-up preparations for the July 27-August 12 Games.

Mokake said: “The four disciplines have been chosen because they were found to be currently the best-performing codes in the country.

“The respective associations have the full responsibility of ensuring their athletes qualify for the Games, but the LNOC—with  recommendations by the national federations—can also facilitate scholarships for athletes to help them prepare for tournaments.”

According to Mokake,  five athletes—sprinter Mosito Lehata, Selloane Tšoaeli (combined events), Lineo Mochesane (taekwondo), boxer Moroke Mokhotho and mountain-biker  Phethetso Monese—would be assisted in their training under the programme.

“Lehata and Tšoaeli will have their training in Mauritius and Senegal, while the remaining three athletes will be under supervised-training programmes here at home, starting this month.”

In total, the LNOC anticipates seven locals to qualify for the Games, with Mokake telling Public Eye: “We expect two marathon runners to make the cut, which should bring the total number of the country’s representatives to seven.”

Lesotho was represented by five athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, with all of them returning empty-handed.