07 Aug 2016

Botswana Taekwando Federation (BTF) technical director says she is impressed with the turnout of young athletes during the under 12 Botswana Taekwando championships in Gaborone. 

Gladys Njoroge said the event was a success because of the attendance, which she said alone, meant a great achievement for Taekwando. Njoroge disclosed that over 15 government schools attended with 250 kids.

Njoroge stated that the target was to bring about kids between the age of 6 and 12, which she said are the most important in the future of Taekwando in the country.

She said the intention was not competition, but to make the event as fun as it can for the children.

She cited that at that age, competition is not important, but to make the young ones interested in the sport.

However, she also said they needed to bring them all under one roof for competition. She explained that if one is to teach a kid on how to do something but do not let them apply that in a competition they will never have an understanding of what they were taught.

Furthermore, she said she was happy with the talent that was displayed during the competition and cited that it was good to see the kids apply exceptionally the basics they had been taught.

“These children can now understand the smooth game of Taekwando, hence there were little injuries during the championships,” she said.

Ten year boys in Pablo Modise and Mbako Pelaelo from Broadhusrt primary school were the talk of the hall as they both displayed good Taekwando skills.

The sport required an athlete to possess a swift footwork and a great body balance as they were the best features for a kick boxing fighter, Pablo and Mbako did not only possess such, but were also very acrobatic during their fights.ENDS