HON. TJABANE CALLS FOR RESOLUTION ON PITSO GROUND DISPUTE TO PROTECT YOUTH SPORTS
By: The Office of Hon. Mampho Tjabane, MP - Stadium Area
Stadium Area - Hon. Mampho Tjabane has called for urgent dialogue between Matlama FC and the Maseru City Council (MCC) to resolve the long-standing dispute over Pitso Ground, saying the stalemate is hurting youth development and sports in the constituency.
Matlama FC, one of Lesotho’s oldest and most successful clubs founded in 1932, has been locked in a dispute with MCC over ownership of Pitso Ground. The club has occupied the site since shortly after independence in 1966, but MCC currently holds the lease obtained in 1994.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO STADIUM AREA
Pitso Ground is more than just a football field. It is a historic site where thousands of young people from Stadium Area and across Maseru train and play.
However, club president Moeketsi Khojane says municipal operations at the ground frequently interrupt training. “Our team is suffering, and at some stages we even struggle to train,” Khojane said.
Hon. Tjabane says this cannot continue. _“Our youth need safe, consistent spaces to develop their talent. When training is disrupted, we are denying young Basotho opportunities in sport, discipline, and jobs.”_
HON. TJABANE’S POSITION
Hon. Tjabane recognizes Pitso Ground as a national monument that must be preserved. At the same time, she believes Matlama deserves a fair and permanent solution, just as was done for Lioli FC which received alternative land after vacating its ground.
_“We must balance heritage and progress. The solution is not to fight over one field forever. Government and MCC must work with Matlama to secure alternative land where the club can build modern facilities that meet FIFA and CAF standards,”_ Hon. Tjabane said.
She has committed to:
1. Facilitating dialoguebetween Matlama, MCC, and Ministry of Sports
2. Pushing for compensation land so Matlama can build its own home ground
3. Protecting youth access to sports facilities in Stadium Area during negotiations
A CALL TO ACTION
Hon. Tjabane urges all stakeholders to put the interests of players and communities first. _“Pitso Ground’s history must be preserved, but our children’s future must also be secured. Let us resolve this matter with respect, urgency, and vision.”_
The Office of Hon. Tjabane will continue to monitor the matter and advocate for a solution that serves both heritage and sports development.
Source: Newsday Online - Matlama, MCC locked in long-running Pitso Ground ownership dispute