SPORTS – Eswatini will once again fly the national flag at this year’s Lesotho Youth Games, with a 17-member delegation confirmed to compete in Maseru from October 1–4.
This was announced yesterday by Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) Chief Executive Officer, Maxwell Jele, during a press briefing at the organisation’s headquarters in Lobamba.
Jele confirmed that EOCGA board member and decorated sprinter, Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa, will serve as Chef de Mission for the team.
Eswatini will compete in four sporting codes: athletics, boxing, chess and taekwondo.
“We are pleased to confirm that we will once again be sending a team to the Lesotho Youth Games after receiving an invitation from the Lesotho National Olympic Committee. We attended last year’s event, and this year we have assembled a competitive squad we believe will represent the country with pride,” Jele said.
The invitation comes under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2023 between EOCGA and the Lesotho National Olympic Committee, aimed at strengthening bilateral sporting ties and creating opportunities for youth athletes.
The team is scheduled to depart on September 30 and will return on October 5. Jele also expressed gratitude to the Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council as well as local federations for their support in compiling and preparing the squad.
Team Eswatini
Chef de Mission:
Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa
Athletics
Machawe Mahlalela
Bandzile Simelane
Mbali Zungu
Coach: Siyabonga Ngwenya
Taekwondo
Siphiwokuhle Ndlela
Sinenkosi Buckum
Prince Langwenya
Coach: Fakazile Nxumalo
Boxing
Calvin Gumbi
Nothando Mshayise
Coach: Calvin Mbingo
Chess
Kwanele Ngwenya
Santiago DeNobrega
Nolwazi Buthelezi
Wenzokuhle Mnisi
Coach: Simphiwe Dlamini
