THE African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Troika of Ministers that met in Maseru on Sunday has decided to reconvene in Lesotho after 30 days to assess progress on the delivery of the regional games to be held in December.

This after the visit and inspection of the Maseru African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games facilities inclusive of tennis courts, Setsoto stadium and the National University of Lesotho (NUL) campus on Saturday.

During their Sunday meeting, the AUSC Troika of Ministers made several resolutions on the upcoming games.

In a communique released later that day, the troika resolved that the Lesotho Minister of Gender, Youth, Sport and Recreation Likeleli Tampane should urgently appoint Local Organising Committee (LOC) staff in line with the Regional Organising Committee (ROC) recommendations to build on the success registered to date towards the delivery of exceptional games, cognisant of the effects of the prevailing COVID-19 on athlete preparation and subsequent impact on the quality of competition.  

According to the communique, the troika is committed to delivering safe, secure and exceptional youth games under the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Lesotho government be implored to expedite processes required to speed up the preparations including release of funds and other resources to the LOC to finance their operations in accordance with the Protocol Agreement.  Troika reconvenes in Lesotho after 30 days to assess progress on the delivery of the games.

“Lesotho be encouraged to make alternative plans to secure competition equipment in case the suppliers fail to meet the anticipated delivery date and avoid working under panic,” the communique reads in part.

The troika also resolved that it will request the government to find a way to cushion participating countries to the ninth edition of the Region 5 Games in the cost of COVID-19 tests by considering setting government facilities and avoid use of private facilities that charge exorbitant fees.