10 May 2018

The Japanese Karate Association (JKA) Botswana World Federation will hold its Botswana National Youth Championships and grading session in Francistown this weekend.

In an interview on Monday, the secretary general of the association, Sensei Othusitse Dick said the two sessions would be held at the Francistown College of Technical Education.

Sensei Dick said the tournament would be held on Saturday (May 12) from 8am till late whereas the grading would be held on Sunday (May 13) from 8am to 1pm.

He said the championship would be in the form of kata and kumite for both males and females with fees charged per athlete for both the tournament and grading sessions.

He urged all clubs to submit names of athletes, adding that those who failed to submit the names on time would be automatically disqualified.

Sensei Dick noted that all kata competitors who were 13 years and below would be allowed to perform any kata in any round including hein katas, adding that cadets and juniors would be allowed to perform any JKA kata in any round except repetition of kata.

He said for kumite the minimum age requirement for any competitor shall be seven years, and that there would be no hand contacts to the face for competitors who were 17 years and below.

He further said all techniques must be clear and in good control, and that the participants were reminded to bring their own equipment for the competition which includes red and white mitts, red and white belt.

Sensei Dick further said the event would help the federation to select youthful competitive teams to represent JKA Botswana World Federation at the JKA Africa Cup to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa on September 1 as well as to give exposure to young developing athletes.

He said the federation once competed in the said championships, and that the team did well, more especially upcoming athletes.

He also said the federation encouraged women participation in karate hence the establishment of JKA Botswana Women’s Commission amongst its structures.

Sensei Dick further said the event was an opportunity for JKA Botswana World Federation and BOKA national team representative to test their readiness for the upcoming USC Region 5 Karate Championships.

The patron of the federation, Sensei Kgosi Kgari Sechele III urged the athletes to do their best to produce good results.

Kgosi Kgari noted that such championships were helpful to see how athletes performed so that they were groomed into competitive champions to represent the country in international tournaments. ENDS