06 Apr 2017

All nine Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) affiliates are expected to descend in Mogoditshane tomorrow for their adoptive and elective congress that will usher in a new leadership for the crisis-ridden association.

The past three years were turbulent for the karate governing body and at one point, marked the shortest term for leadership of a sport code particularly in the history of a high performing discipline such as karate.

The association was engaged in bitter internal feuds which were seen as the centre of the rot which rocked the executive committee leading to mass resignations of committee members.

Sanity finally prevailed when the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Thapelo Olopeng intervened and pleaded with the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) board to establish a commission of inquiry to look into the mess.

The commission presented its findings and an interim committee was set up chaired by the outgoing president, David Mathe who was nevertheless ushered in after fresh elections.

Mathe’s administration survived a scare during its tenure in office after a late withdrawal of a motion of no confidence, accused of failing to deliver on its mandate.

Now tomorrow, the hunting ground is The Big 5 Lodge where two sworn opponents Shihan Mpho Bakwadi and Sensei Tshepo Bathai will go for the jugular to put an end to infightings and counter-accusations that had plagued the mother body.

The two contestants confirmed their desire to stand for office after former presidents, sensei Million Masumbika and David Mathe pulled out of the race leaving out an exciting and unpredictable contest.

The two bring to the table exciting ideas and in their own right were fine athletes during their heydays.

Bakwadi remains undoubtedly the most decorated karate instructor locally with the highest qualifications from the World Karate Federation (WKF).

Speaking from Qatar this week where he attended and officiated at the WKF premier league tournament, The Dubai Open, Bakwadi vowed to resuscitate BOKA structures once voted into office.

He said as part of his priority areas, he intended to, amongst others, secure sponsorship for karate, set up proper offices, empower karate structures such as chief instructors and club instructors and recruit women into the sport.

He said he also wanted to continue what he did as vice president (technical) by tapping expertise across borders.

Late last year, he invited sensei Karin Prinsloo, head instructor at the Pinetown JKA Karate institute in South Africa.

Bakwadi has had an impressive record as an athlete too, having won the Shukokai World Championships in 1994 in Japan and has represented Botswana on any tournament in offer overhauling gold medals in the process.

He is also credited for grooming the likes of the Groth brothers Kevin and Khaya, his own brother Ofentse Bakwadi, amongst others.

On the other hand, Sensei Bathai is also a former national team athlete and has led the association after trouncing veteran administrator Masumbika.

The fifth Dan black belt karateka served BOKA for a minimum five months before the association plunged into bitter power struggles resulting in him resigning.

He, unlike his opponent, brings an array of experience having served as the BOKA’s vice president.

It was also during the youthful Bathai’s reign that the Karate Foundation Trust was established, the association’s website, the Karate Funeral Scheme and the project 1 000 were also part of his legacy.

At the height of his career as an athlete, Bathai captained the national team and scooped gold at the Africa Championships in South Africa in 2001.

He has been elected chairperson of the Japan Karate Association Botswana and is the chief instructor of Karate No-Michi Botswana.

Despite an unceremonious departure from BOKA structures, Bathai hopes to be voted to lead a team that would take the sport back to its glory days.

Other positions to be ushered into office are the vice president technical where sensei Union Kgafela is unopposed, the vice president administration candidacy will see former treasurer, Lere Basupang and Sam Dire up in arms, Kgosietsile Dibotelo will face off Phineas Motseolapile for the secretary general post, Bose Caiphus and Pule Kwelagobe will run for the vice secretary general, while Isaiah Ramontshonyana is unopposed for the public relations office.ENDS