Ntsibolane allays fears over LNOC ‘instability’

Leemisa Thuseho

LESOTHO National Olympic Committee (LNOC) president, Letsatsi Ntsibolane, has allayed fears of “instability” within the organisation following the shock resignations of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Morake Raleaka, and Chief Operations Officer (COO), ‘Mathato Makhorole.

The two senior officials tendered their resignations last Thursday, raising fresh concerns about the administration of the country’s Olympic body.

Ntsibolane, however, said the organisation remained firmly in control and urged the sports fraternity, particularly national sports federations, not to panic.

While acknowledging that it was unusual for two senior officials to resign at the same time, he said the development was particularly unexpected given the LNOC’s seemingly positive performance following Lesotho’s participation in the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, where the country won two bronze medals in boxing.

“It is not a normal thing to get two officers resign at the same time, especially when things looked good all along, and also while we were all happy following a successful outing at the recent Commonwealth Games,” Ntsibolane told the Lesotho Times this week.

“But in terms of the stability of the organisation, I can assure you that we are 100 percent in control.”

He said the LNOC would move swiftly to prevent any leadership vacuum following the departure of the two officials, who are currently serving two-month notice periods.

“We will act with speed to make sure that there is no gap felt. We are an international organisation, so it is imperative that we make sure that the organisation remains stable.

“My philosophy is empowerment and recruitment of new leaders, so that is what we have been doing. Therefore, while it appears to be a shock and raises unanswered questions, I am sure the organisation will stay stable and achieve its goals as set out.”

Ntsibolane, however, acknowledged that the resignations would have some impact, particularly as the organisation faces a busy schedule of local and international sporting events.

“I cannot be naïve to say there will be no impact of this development.

“There will be a pinch, but it will not be enough to deter us from the envisaged goal of producing athletes by intention and supporting sports federations financially and otherwise.”

He said the LNOC was not in a position to speculate on the reasons behind the resignations, but would share the officials’ exit reports with the public in the interest of transparency.

“At the moment I cannot speculate,” Ntsibolane said.

He said the LNOC would also use its annual general meeting next month to brief national sports federations on the developments.

“To the national federations, this should not cause any shock, panic or alarm. It is under control.”

Ntsibolane added that the LNOC intended to brief the Minister of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture, Mputi Mputi, before the board meets to discuss the developments and chart a way forward.

While the LNOC says it is yet to establish the reasons behind the resignations, Makhorole has said her decision to leave was not prompted by a single incident but followed an accumulation of concerns relating to governance, decision-making, organisational culture and sports politics, among other issues.

“My resignation is not due to one incident but an accumulation of concerns regarding governance, inclusive decision-making, organisational culture, professionalism and the politics surrounding sports,” Makhorole said last week.

The resignations come amid scrutiny of the LNOC over delays in the payment of staff salaries.

Under normal circumstances, LNOC employees are paid on the 20th of each month, but their August salaries were delayed.

The delay reportedly caused frustration and financial distress among employees, with some struggling to meet loan repayments and other financial obligations.

There were also reports that the committee’s reserves had been depleted after funds were used to finance Team Lesotho’s participation in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, held from 23 July to 2 August.

Some employees reportedly raised concerns about the management of the funds.

Raleaka previously dismissed allegations of mismanagement, saying the LNOC had been forced to draw from its reserves to finance the Commonwealth Games trip after government funding fell short.

He attributed the salary delays to delays in the approval of grants from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Raleaka said the LNOC had used part of its reserves to finance Team Lesotho’s participation in the Games because the government was unable to provide sufficient funding.

LNOC employees were eventually paid last week.

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