sports

June 18, 2021

TEBOHO JAFETA

8 min read

Inspirational athlete, youthful coach, Lebelo Mosehle

Inspirational athlete, youthful coach, Lebelo Mosehle

Lesotho international tennis coach Lebelo Mosehle

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BEING raised in a less fortunate family has never been a stumbling block for him while starting out as a young tennis player.

He began playing at the age of six and his amazing discipline as well as determination paved the way for his now promising future.

Lebelo Mosehle who started playing the sport barefooted in the National Lawn Tennis Courts in Maseru has today become one of the top tennis instructors to come out of Lesotho.

He is currently an instructor at his own academy, the Lebelo Mosehle Tennis Academy in Tampa, Florida in the United States of America.

Mosehle who now inspires tennis players to dream big and maintain positivity and hard work when obstacles arise is a tennis player whose life was changed by his undying love for the sport.

He has over the years won several accolades in Lesotho, the neighbouring South Africa and the USA.

At age 11, he competed in the under-13 Southern African tourney in SA and won a gold medal.

At the time, he was studying in South Africa and he competed in numerous tournaments. By the age of 14, he was ranked in top 10 in South Africa.

He was ranked number one in George and the whole Western Cape Province in South Africa and won the sportsman of the year award three times in a row at Glenwood House Private School.

Mosehle alongside partner Bishop Mosebi won bronze medal in doubles at the 2015 All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo.

He has played for the Under-12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 national teams.

In 2015, he was among the nominees for the Seward County Community College Sportsman of the Year even though he did not walk away with the trophy.

He was the Jackson State University Player of the month for February 2018.

During the Florida National championships, he became the best number three player.

He was ranked 883 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Ranking in February 2014 with a 50 percent win rate.

In 2013, his ITF Junior Ranking was still 883 with 40 percent win rate, he had a 33 percent win rate the year before.

Lebelo was first introduced to tennis when he would find stray balls at the National Courts. He would sell them until he was finally encouraged by the then national coach Sekhobe Moshoeshoe to try the sport.

He was a natural and soon became unstoppable.

His story is incredible as tells the adversities he faced over the years.

From owning only one pair of shoes a year and playing tennis barefooted to arriving in the United States in the wrong city with only $20 in his pocket, this man's story is truly inspiring.

Now he runs a prominent tennis academy in Florida and encourages as well as inspires players of all ages to have fun and accomplish anything they dare to dream.

“My older brother began playing tennis before me and I was fascinated the balls he used to bring home, which he later sold.

“I competed for years barefooted and my feet would tear until they started bleeding. I would take a few days off and when they felt better, I would go back to the courts. At the time I was aged between eight and nine.”

At age 10, he quit playing to help his mother run a clothes shop on the street.

“I had to grow up quickly and become a man at only 10 years old. One of my coaches Letona Mokhitli came to my house and told my parents about my amazing talent.

“So my parents allowed me to go back to the courts, but I still had to sell oranges from office to office, so that I could buy a pair of tennis shoes.

“My coach later relocated to South Africa and I was shattered. But a year later, he invited me to move to George in South Africa to live with him.  

“One of the players he coached was awarded a tennis scholarship to come to America and I knew that was what I wanted. Nobody in Lesotho had ever played college tennis so to them, it was a crazy dream.

“His Majesty King Letsie III offered to pay for my air ticket to the States and my mom managed to collect a total of $20 from neighbours.”

He adds: “I remember my first day at college, everyone went into Walmart to buy the necessities and I walked out empty-handed. My coach asked what was happening and I told him my situation. He then went home and returned with some old blankets and other things that he gave me to use,” he recalls.

During his first year in college, he held two odd jobs and worked 35 hours a week.

He was a full time student and an athlete.

“I had to make it work. I was not on any scholarship so I had to work hard so I could earn a tennis scholarship the following year.

“Fast forward to four years in college, I made first team conference D1 and obtained my degree. I am the academy director and coaching people achieve their tennis goals is my new passion,” he says.

As a tennis coach at 25, Lebelo has impacted many lives in America.

“Some people call me a therapist, at some point in life, you do not realise how much you can touch people’s lives. A lot of people appreciate my work,” he says.

“Having Lebelo as a tennis coach is amazing. His knowledge is extensive and the way he communicates it, is clear and precise,” says of one his former students called John. 

Another one called Kendra says: “Lebelo is hands down the best coach! His goal is to bring out the best player in you!”  

“Lebelo and his coaching team are dedicated to improving your tennis skills and work with people at every level. They are energetic, motivating, and best of all, fun!!!,” Christine notes.

“Lebelo and Adam are amazing!! They keep it fun and entertaining for all levels. they’re patient, knowledgeable and care about your progress,” Andrea says.

Born on January 3, 1996, Lebelo Mosehle is the son of Thabiso and ’Mathato Mosehle of Maseru West. His family of five lived off an $80 (M1 120) salary.

He first attended St James Primary before he proceeded to New Millennium English Medium School where he completed his primary education.

He then went to New Millennium High School to do his Grade 8.  

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As a Grade 8 learner, he obtained a tennis scholarship through his former coach Mokhitli and he went to high school at Glenwood House Private School, in George, Western Cape South Africa where he completed his high school education while also pursuing his tennis career.

Through a two-year tennis scholarship, he enrolled at the Seaward County Community College in Kansas, USA in 2015 before enrolling at the Florida A&M - Agricultural and Mechanical University two years later.  

He obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, Marketing and Related Support Services at Jackson State University in 2019.

After graduating from Jackson State University, Mosehle opened his own tennis academy - Lebelo Mosehle Tennis Academy in Tampa.

The academy offers tennis lessons and covers areas such as fitness assessment, technique assessment, and improvement of endurance, agility, strength, speed, balance, and coordination.

He started playing with ITF Court Three ratchet then two before using a big ratchet.

“One of my old coaches Retšelisitsoe Motlojoa used to take us to South African tournaments with his car to compete. I was part of his team called Limamarela,” he recalls.

Some of the people who contributed towards his development as a tennis player include Motlojoa, Moshoeshoe, Chaka Mokhele and Mokhitli.  

“As an upcoming athlete, I looked up to Koleile Mokhutla who was a very good player in Lesotho. I always try to look at things positively; hence, I do not have worst moments. I consider everyday as a best moment to me,” he says.

One of his first jobs while in college was working for N&M Cleaning Services as a supervisor, teaching people from different backgrounds how to use equipment and day to day activities.     

His other hobbies include working out, listening to music and going to the beach.

 

 

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