Team Lesotho Shines at 2026 Sharing Olympism Forum in Maseru

Team Lesotho delivered an impressive performance at the second Sharing Olympism Forum 2026, showcasing strong talent, confidence and knowledge during the two-day regional event held in Maseru from Friday to Saturday. The forum was organised by the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) and brought together young participants from Lesotho, Eswatini, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. The gathering provided an important platform for young people from across the region to exchange ideas, develop their talents and learn more about the fundamental values of Olympism. Lesotho emerged as one of the strongest-performing teams, securing top positions in several of the competitive categories. The results highlighted the commitment, preparation and ability of the country’s young participants while reinforcing the value of using sport and Olympism to promote education, leadership and unity.

The Sharing Olympism Forum featured a range of activities designed to test participants’ knowledge, creativity, confidence and understanding of Olympism. Competitors took part in debate, public speaking, essay writing, poetry and quiz categories, giving young people different opportunities to demonstrate their abilities. These activities required participants to think critically, communicate clearly and apply their understanding of Olympic principles to different subjects and situations. The forum therefore extended beyond traditional sporting competition by focusing on intellectual development and personal expression. It also created an environment where participants could learn from one another while building friendships and connections across national borders.

Lesotho recorded its first major success in the debate category, where the team finished in first position after a strong performance. Liteboho Mafisa was recognised as the Best Overall Speaker, demonstrating strong communication, argumentation and confidence throughout the competition. Palesa Thabana also delivered an outstanding performance and was named Best Speaker Opposition. Their individual achievements contributed significantly to Lesotho’s overall success in the debate category and demonstrated the quality of preparation within the team. The strong showing also highlighted the importance of debate as a tool for developing young people’s ability to analyse issues, defend positions and communicate their ideas effectively.

The Mountain Kingdom continued its strong run in the essay writing competition, securing first position in the category. Thapelo Malumane took first place, while Liteboho Mafisa added another achievement by finishing third. Their performances demonstrated the team’s ability to express ideas effectively through written communication while showing a strong understanding of the principles and values associated with Olympism. Essay writing also gave participants an opportunity to explore themes related to sport, leadership, respect, teamwork and social responsibility. Lesotho’s results in this category added to the team’s growing list of achievements at the forum.

Lesotho also performed exceptionally well in poetry, with Thandaza Sebako taking first position and Mpho Mphunyetsane securing third place. Their achievements demonstrated the creativity and expressive ability of the young participants who represented the country. Poetry provided a different way for competitors to communicate ideas and values, allowing them to combine language, emotion and creativity in their presentations. The two podium finishes showed that Team Lesotho was able to perform strongly across both academic and artistic categories. Lesotho also secured first position in the quiz competition, further strengthening its overall performance at the regional forum.

Although Team Lesotho did not finish among the top three in the public speaking category, the result did not overshadow the team’s broader achievements. Public speaking requires participants to communicate ideas clearly under pressure while maintaining confidence and engaging an audience. Taking part in the category itself provided valuable experience that can help participants improve their communication skills in future competitions and other areas of life. The forum was designed to encourage learning and development as much as competition, making every category an opportunity for growth. Lesotho’s performance across the other disciplines showed that the team successfully embraced the wider objectives of the event.

The medal ceremony provided an opportunity to recognise participants for their outstanding performances and commitment throughout the forum. Medals were presented by LNOC Vice President-Finance Mrs. ‘Mamots’abi Lekhabunyane, Lesotho Olympic Academy representative Mrs. ‘Mabokang Mdandalaza and Regional Inspector from the Ministry of Education and Training, Mr. Zongezile Dlangamandla. The presentation acknowledged the hard work of participants and celebrated the achievements recorded during the two-day gathering. Recognition through medals also gave young competitors an opportunity to see their efforts rewarded while encouraging them to continue developing their skills. The ceremony reinforced the importance of acknowledging young people’s contributions to the promotion of Olympism and regional cooperation.

Mrs. ‘Mamots’abi Lekhabunyane congratulated all participants for their hard work, creativity, talent and confidence during the forum. She described the achievements as a testament to the dedication demonstrated by the young competitors throughout the event. She encouraged participants to return to their respective countries and continue to be lights that shine in their communities. Her message placed emphasis on the responsibility young people have to use the knowledge and experience gained through initiatives such as the forum to make a positive contribution. She also expressed pride in all the teams for representing their countries with excellence, confidence and the spirit of Olympism.

The theme of the 2026 forum was “Promoting Olympism through Ubuntu”, placing values of humanity, community and mutual respect at the centre of the gathering. Ubuntu emphasises the importance of people supporting and recognising one another, making it closely aligned with the Olympic ideals of respect, friendship and solidarity. The participation of young people from five countries provided a practical example of how these principles can bring communities together across national boundaries. Through debate, writing, poetry, public speaking and quizzes, participants were able to engage with the theme while sharing perspectives shaped by their different backgrounds. The forum therefore used Olympism as a platform for encouraging both individual excellence and stronger regional connections.

The 2026 event built on the foundation established by the inaugural Sharing Olympism Forum, which was hosted by Uganda in 2024 at Kabojja International School. The continuation of the forum demonstrates the value of creating regular opportunities for young people to engage with Olympic education and the principles associated with the Olympic movement. Hosting the second edition in Maseru also gave Lesotho an opportunity to welcome regional participants and demonstrate its commitment to youth development through Olympism. The involvement of countries such as Eswatini, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda strengthened the regional character of the initiative. Such gatherings can help create lasting relationships among young people while encouraging them to become ambassadors of Olympic values in their respective communities.

Team Lesotho’s performance at the Sharing Olympism Forum 2026 represents a significant achievement for the country’s young participants and the organisations supporting their development. First-place finishes in debate, essay writing, poetry and the quiz, together with individual podium performances, demonstrated the team’s strength across a wide range of disciplines. The event also gave participants valuable opportunities to build confidence, communicate ideas and interact with young people from other countries. While the team did not place in the top three in public speaking, its overall performance showed strong commitment and versatility. The success in Maseru provides encouragement for continued investment in Olympic education and youth programmes that allow young Basotho to develop their talents while promoting the values of respect, friendship, excellence and Ubuntu.