30 Mar 2015

Sensei David Mathe has been ushered in as the seventh president to lead the karate governing body since its establishment.

Sensei Mathe is a decorated and prominent sport administrator who was instrumental in setting up the position of vice president administration in the Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) structures and was engaged as one of its youngest members as he was roped in as vice secretary general while still a student at the University of Botswana.

Mathe boosts of having the oldest institutional memory particularly administratively having served under all the past BOKA  leadership. 

The Thamaga-born karate teacher followed on the foot steps of sensei Abel Mbaakanyi who was president during the organisation’s infancy stages, sensei Jeff Tembo who was credited as having been the longest serving president, Ookeditse Malesu, Gift Nkwe, Million Masumbika and lately Tshepo Bathai who held the shortest term in office.

Ironically, when Mathe accepted the proposal to lead an interim structure to temporarily oversee the organisation in preparation of setting up a permanent structure, many were speaking in low tones of his likelihood to turn down the offer as he was not seconded in his nomination of the previous executive committee’s election into power.

However, Mathe took up the reigns of an interim committee that was brought into office in January 24 this year. His charges were assigned terms of reference to initiate and some progress within two months from election into office amongst their duties being to facilitate for BOKA executive congress with the special general meeting having been the last part of that exercise.

The committee also held a press conference to update stakeholders on the developments in the sport. They were also expected to ensure full participation of affiliates and recently had hosted successful selection tournaments. Preparations are underway to prepare the team for the Zone VI championships and the All Africa Games slated for September in Congo Brazzaville.

Mathe came into office accompanied by a full set of a committee that was unopposed going into elections. Vice president (technical) is Shihan Mpho Bakwadi who made a comeback after being edged out by sensei Christopher Ponatshego in the last meeting.

Vice president (administration) is Sidney Maruping, Kemmonye Selatamotse vice secretary general while Secretary general is Motshwari Motlogelwa and publicity secretary is Jerry Ditlhong.

Meanwhile, the executive committee is set to appoint a new coach for the national team with a lot of names hovering over the seat amongst them sensei George Tshikare who had an impressive spell with the junior team during the Youth Games, sensei Otto Tafa who had been on the seat in the past and sensei Ponatshego