31 Mar 2015

Botswana Amateur Fencing Society (BAFS) undertook the first fencing competition in Botswana when they hosted South African fencing teams for Gaborone Épée open at Mogoditshane Senior School over the weekend.

The sport, relatively new in the country, had a good turn up of competitors who took part in the inaugural games. BAFS invited South African teams from Soweto and Mamelodi fencing clubs.

Fencing is one of the five original Olympic sport that had three weapon categories being épée, foil and saber, the Gaborone open paraded only épée games under three groups, the Benjamins, Cadets (under 17), Junior under 19, Senior fighters and one veteran.

“The games were a success and well organised, even our fencers fared well playing against experienced South African players” said Botswana fencing federation president, Gaolatwe Mudongo. He said Botswana players showed a hankering desire and putting up a sterling performance when playing regardless of their lack of experience.

Mudongo said even though Botswana players were thrown into the deep regarding that it was their first time to play on that stage with professional and semi-professional players from South Africa they fought impressively.

He further expressed his gratefulness towards the South African Fencing teams and organisers for helping BAFS organise and actually execute an outstanding tournament. He said they are going to continue engage with them and even visit South Africa to participate in their events.

A high flying game that requires a player to have a top notch precision with swordsmanship, a great speed of footwork and composure when poking with an épée weapon and creamed above all with precise march and be able to defend any attack from an opponent.

This was well displayed by a fight between a Soweto Fencing club player Lindokuhle Magwaza and Tlokweng based Aobakwe Modise on the ladies junior category.

Magwaza a defence and quick tap tactician eased her way to the final until she met her match Modise a rather robust poking player at the finals. Modise fell short letting Magwaza slip away with the victory and claiming gold while she secured a silver medal.

Modise clearly frustrated by complains logged by her opponent about her hard tapping, she let her guard down trying to kill off the match quickly and giving way for Magwaza’s forte to reap.

On the men senior category that was much dominated by South African teams, number one ranking and Olympian participant Sello Maduma from Mamelodi Club claimed Gold while Manyane Serulafo settled for silver and impressively one motswana Sam Chape bowed for bronze medal ahead of two South Africans.

Chape, prior to his semi-final bout, impressively paved his way knocking out experienced South African players, he eventually met Maduma a well-established fencer. The chap didn’t shy away but actually had a go with Maduma.

Regarding the games, Maduma said it was one of those well-organised competitions he once attended which started ahead of scheduled time. Even the involvement of the technical equipment that was used when grading and score counting made the competitions easy to run.

Gauteng Fencing Association competition organiser Director of technical, Joan Saner said the competition was very successful and applauded the organisers for choosing a good venue which allowed the competition run smoothly.She further said the collaboration with the South African side will benefit the locals to advance their technique with fencing. She encouraged BAFS to keep on doing such competitions and tighten their friendship.

Saner encouraged Batswana to promote and get involved in development of the sport because of the benefits which can actually bring into good mind set to children upbringing. She stated the benefits as it develops them as strategist agile thinkers. ENDS