30 Nov 2020

Yun Genius Karate Academy on November 28 celebrated its 19th anniversary in style by recognising 28 of their athletes at Bugalo Primary School in Tati Siding.

The 28, whose age ranged between four and 21, were given certificates of appreciation for their contribution towards the growth of the Francistown based karate academy.

The academy also has branches in places such as Tonota, Tati Siding and Selebi Phikwe.

Bugalo Primary School head heaped praises on the founder of the academy, Sensei Otsile Motsamai for doing an exceptional job ever since the inception of the school in 2001.

Mr Manyika Gwakuba said the Botswana Karate Association certified Coach’s contribution to the code went far beyond the academy as he had been made to lead the national team that participated at regional completion in Mozambique.

Moreover, he noted that some of the Yun Genius athletes had formed an integral part of the national team.

Principal education officer for North East, Shingile Malibala stated that as much as karate was an art of self defence, the code also helped children develop motor skills.

As one of the fast developing sporting codes in Botswana, Malibala encouraged children to take karate seriously, saying it had the potential to put bread on the table for some of those who would turn professional in future.

Also, he challenged Yun Genius Karate Association to recruit more girls into karate so that they could defend themselves against disturbing incidents of Gender Based Violence (GBV) that had of late run amok countrywide.

He gave Yun Genius Karate Academy a pat on the back for having a female coach, saying it was a step in the right direction.

Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture Development official, Phineas Kgare urged athletes to ensure they had the correct diet to be able to compete at the highest level.

Kgosi Simon Nkgageng of Tati Siding shared other speakers’ sentiments, stating that there was much that could be derived from sport if athletes could remain focused, especially that it helped keep social ills at bay. ENDS