Fighting for health: A young boxer’s journey towards responsibility and resilience
Promoting health outcomes through U-Report and sport
At just 17 years old, Phamotse Mosehli, a passionate amateur boxer from Maseru, is already punching above his weight, not only in the ring, but in life. For him, boxing is more than a sport. It’s a path to discipline, self-confidence, and most importantly, good health.
“I started boxing when I was 7. It gave me focus, something to wake up for,” says Phamotse. “But it was during last year’s community sports tournament that I truly realized how much my health matters; not just for sport, but for my future.”
The sports tournament, organized by the Ministry of Health, Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC), and UNICEF Lesotho, with support from USAID and CANVAX, brought together young people from Qoaling community under the theme “Health for All, Sports for All.” For Phamotse, it was a game-changer.
The tournament wasn’t just about playing ; before and during the games, we learned through quizzes about HIV, COVID-19, and how to protect ourselves,” he explains. “Some of my teammates even got tested right there. That’s when I realized being strong also means being informed.”
With accurate information delivered in a youth-friendly way during the tournament, Phamotse and many of his peers are beginning to rethink how they talk about health.
He hopes that initiatives like these continue. “We need more events like this. Not just once, but all the time. Because young people listen when things are done in a friendly way that create safe space for us.” Phamotse’s story is one of many showing how access to health information, youth-centered engagement, and sport can empower young people to take responsibility for their health—and become champions in their own lives.
