Retired Brigadier General Naha Kolisang leads the newly elected executive committee after years of stalled leadership and declining international performance.
The Lesotho Taekwondo Association (LTA) has elected a new executive committee, with retired army Brigadier General Naha Kolisang becoming president unopposed. This marks the end of a prolonged period of instability that saw the association struggle to hold elections since 2020, following the end of Moorosana Nkesi's term. Previous attempts were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent disputes over club eligibility, which led to court challenges and the establishment of an interim committee in 2023, also headed by Kolisang.
Kolisang, a former international taekwondo athlete, acknowledged the sport's diminished status in Lesotho, which was once a regional leader and the second-most sponsored sport after football. He pledged to work with the new team to restore its former glory, emphasizing rebuilding unity, transparency, good governance, and athlete development. The interim committee has already developed strategic frameworks, and Kolisang highlighted the continued activity of clubs and schools as a strong foundation for rebuilding.
The leadership vacuum and controversies significantly impacted taekwondo's popularity and the number of elite athletes competing internationally. Kolisang aims to secure funding through sustainable partnerships with stakeholders to achieve international success. He noted that despite the association's challenges, clubs like Butha-Buthe Taekwondo Club have continued to participate in and perform well at international events, indicating a resilient base of young athletes.
Why it mattersLesotho taekwondo athletes and clubs are affected by the new leadership's commitment to rebuilding unity, governance, and athlete development after years of instability.
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