25 Apr 2016

 Internal bickering within the newly established Karate No-Michi Botswana nearly stalled the annual Botswana Karate Association’s (BOKA) ordinary general meeting.

Bitter internal feuds between two warring factions that claim the legitimacy of the federation’s executive committee is the centre of the rot. 

One faction is led by veteran sensei, Fisher Masilo and the other by former BOKA president sensei, Tshepo Bathai.

The latter’s claim follows their affiliation to the styles’ international governing body Karate No-Michi World Federation while the Masilo faction were registered with the Botswana Registrar of Societies and were recognised as a BOKA affiliate in 2012.

The spat inched its way to the associations’ Saturday meeting even though it was not part of the agenda and was debated for the better part of the day.

Delegates were worried that the two factions contravened the association’s constitution by being represented by four individuals, two from each faction even though they had earlier been written letters not to attend the meeting.

However, Bathai explained that he had not received any correspondence to that effect hence his presence. 

Peace was finally brokered when representatives of the two parties held a separate meeting outside the hall and agreed to request Bathai to represent the federation.

In his intervention, BOKA Vice President technical, Shihan Mpho Bakwadi appealed for calm and said infighting could only be resolved by the concerned parties.

He said part of their general mandate as the association was to see a united No-Michi as a bona fide member of the local governing body. 

He said the issue had a potential to tarnish the good image of the sport and scare away potential sponsors.

For his part, Vice President administration, sensei Sidney Maruping admitted that the issue was with BOKA to try and find a lasting solution between the two. He said they had assessed the issue and there were still some pending nitty gritties hanging. 

He however admitted that it was not an easy task given that all parties have presented their merits. 

In an interview on the sidelines of the meeting BOKA President Sensei David Mathe was adamant that eternal peace would soon prevail at the federation.

He said the issue was brought to his attention and called the two parties even though they failed to reach a common ground. 

He however maintained that their efforts to mediate would soon bear fruits.ENDS