Lesotho national badminton team

The Lesotho national badminton team (Sotho: Sehlopha papadi badminton sa naha sa Lesotho) represents Lesotho in international team competitions and is controlled by the Lesotho Badminton Association, the governing body for Lesotho badminton.[1]

Lesotho
AssociationLesotho Badminton Association (LBA)
ConfederationBCA (Africa)
PresidentMahlape Khetsi
BWF ranking
Current rankingUnranked (2 April 2024)
Highest ranking87 (4 July 2023)
African Mixed Team Championships
Appearances1 (first in 2023)
Best resultGroup stage

The national team debuted in the African Badminton Championships in 2023.

History

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The Lesotho badminton team was formed after the establishment of the Lesotho Badminton Association in 1999 under the Lesotho Sports & Recreation Commission development program.[2] The national team later became affiliated to the Badminton World Federation in 2018 and were part of the BWF Shuttle Time program which was aimed to develop and progress badminton in the country.[3]

Mixed team

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In 1984, Lesotho originally planned to debut in the 1984 African Badminton Championships but later declined their participation.[4]

The national team made their first international team event appearance at the 2023 African Badminton Championships. The team sent a total of 4 players and were eliminated in the group stages.[5]

Competitive record

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Commonwealth Games

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African Games

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Mixed team

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Year Round Pos
2003 Did not enter
2007
2011
2015
2019
2027 To be determined

African Team Championships

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**Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

Junior competitive record

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Suhandinata Cup

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Year Round Pos
2000
to
2024
Did not enter
2025 To be determined

African Youth Games

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African Junior Team Championships

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Mixed team

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Year Round Pos
1979
to
2022
Did not enter
2024 To be determined
**Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

Players

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Current squad

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As of 2 January 2024

Men's team

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Name DoB/Age Ranking of event
MS MD XD
Neo Rahlolo (2002-12-14) 14 December 2002 (age 21) 1039 711 737
Tebello Selemela (2002-02-05) 5 February 2002 (age 22) 1054 711 737

Women's team

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Name DoB/Age Ranking of event
WS WD XD
Khahliso Khetheng (2005-03-14) 14 March 2005 (age 19) 580 448 737
Refiloe Moeletsi (1998-02-26) 26 February 1998 (age 26) 580 448 737

References

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  1. ^ "Team: Lesotho". bwf.tournamentsoftware.com. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Lesotho Badminton Association". Sportrecs.com. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  3. ^ "Humans of Shuttle Time: Mohlala Mopeli". bwfbadminton.com. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  4. ^ Talking Drums (...Malawi, Lesotho, Madagascar and Swaziland might also participate in the championships). Talking Drums. 1984. p. 26.
  5. ^ "Championnat d'Afrique des nations de Badminton : L'Algérie remporte la médaille de bronze". El watan. Retrieved 2023-02-22.