01 Dec 2020

Karate is more than just self defence since it can mold people into responsible citizens.

Speaking during rank grading ceremony in Tlokweng on November 28, International Kenpu Kai Karate Organisation (IKKO) of Botswana’s Chief Instructor and Botswana All Budo Styles Association (BABUSA) president Shihan Thuto Thuto indicated that his association was practicing the Setswana saying ‘lore lo ojwa lo sa le metsi’.

He noted that their principles included respect, etiquette, perseverance as well as creativity, adding that such principles assisted in growing youths into responsible leaders.

“We are grooming these children into leadership, not only in karate, but to lead the world in different disciplines,” he added.

Eight youths were graded on the day, among them Lecha Noe from purple to black belt C, Arnold Tidimalo from purple to black belt B and Batlang Pilane from brown belt to first dan black belt.

Shihan Thuto described the day as a historic one for their association, considering that a 63- year-old Oduetse Ramakgala was honoured from Sempai to Sensei bracket, with 3rd degree black belt, adding also that a 10-year-old was graded from a brown to a first degree black belt.

Deputy chief instructor of IKKO Botswana and vice president, Captain Keloabetse was graded from Sempai bracket to Sensei bracket (from 2nd degree black belt to 3rd).

For his part, Ramakgala indicated that he started training karate in 1979.

He explained that being involved in karate kept people from social ills such as criminal activities as well as alcohol and drug abuse, adding that the sport was also important in terms of keeping the body healthy, even mentally.

“When you train karate you would not be easily affected by diseases, look at me at this age, I am fit as an ox, I do not have high blood pressure and many other diseases that usually at my age people suffer from,” he added. ENDS