01 Jul 2014

Ryushin-Kan Botswana, an affiliate club of Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) has vowed to take development to the next level ahead of the Ryushin-Kan International Karate-Do African Championships scheduled for Cape Town over the weekend.

Ryushin-Kan chief instructor, Isaiah Ramontshonyana said during a press conference on June 28 that they believed in development hence they would be sending their athletes to compete outside the country.

As part of strengthening youth development, Ramontshonyana said they had employed Thato Chilume as their development coach and he would lead the squad to the tournament.

He said that Ryushin-Kan was responsible for feeding BOKA with promising athletes. “Our trip to the tournament will give us an opportunity to learn and we want to see the athletes dominating the national team in the years to come,” he said.

Ramontshonyana said they aimed at developing athletes before they reached national team level. He commended the parents for their commitment in making sure that their children get the required training despite financial challenges.

He said competing outside the country was expensive and it was in their mandate to look for sponsors who can help, adding that they approached a number of sponsors but they were unsuccessful, but in the end they managed to get help from Credit Factors and Discounters, Blue and Security Systems.

Ryushin-Kan Botswana will be competing in the tournament for the fourth time and last year they managed to win the team event. Their target is to win 10 medals so that they can come back with pride and prepare to host the next tournament in June 2015.

Ramontshonyana also encouraged other small and upcoming companies to come aboard and bring anything they have and make a difference. ╩

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, operation manager at Credit Factors and Discounters, Sherman Selepe said they were privileged to be associated with karate.

He said they decided to come forth and help in the sporting codes which do not receive much recognition. “Our main target is the youth because they are the future,” he said.

Selepe noted that they believed karate would take them far as a growing company, also promising to continue stretching their hands to help. The team consists of more than 40 athletes and will leave Botswana on tomorrow morning. ENDS