10 Feb 2021

Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) has won the bid to host the 2023 Commonwealth Karate Federation Championship.

In an interview on Monday February 8, BOKA publicity secretary, Isaiah Ramontshonyana said hosting the championship would benefit the association and the country.

He noted that some of the benefits for BOKA included 15 development centres with training mats, 18 world qualified referees, seven world qualified coaches, 30 first aiders, six video review equipment, seven world karate federation approved tournament mats, world class athletes, long-term athletes’ development framework as well as training equipment.

He said BOKA would also benefit from leadership academy, improved governance structures, office equipment, two trained administrators on television and broadcasting rights and improved management skills.

Ramontshonyana said there would also be sports medicine legacy, through workshops and training, adding that BOKA’s image would also improve, leading to increased participation in the world stage.

He said there would also be improved relations with bodies such as the World Karate Federation and International Olympic Committee.

He highlighted that the Commonwealth Karate Federation would assist BOKA financially to successfully host the event. 

He said hosting the championship would also contribute to the economy as the 42 countries that were expected to partake would, on average, spend around P400 000 each on accommodation. 

He indicated that BOKA would engage Botswana Tourism Organisation to see how the tourism sector could benefit from the championship.

Ramontshonyana also said BOKA learnt a lot from hosting the African Union Sports Council Region 5 karate championship in 2018 and the Union Federation of African Karate championship in 2019. He added that the experience would assist in delivering a successful event.

Some of the lessons learnt, he said, included developing internal policies for accountability and reporting as well as learning not to host events on the same date with national activities. ENDS