05 Feb 2014

Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) and Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) have presented three karate officials with certificates in recognition of their outstanding achievement.

The award ceremony was held at the National Stadium on February 4 to celebrate the officials’ immense success. The trio, Sensei Union Kgafela, Sensei Jonathan Phiri and Sensei George Tshikare, was in November last year sent to the World Karate Federation (WKF) Championship in Spain to undertake training for accreditation as officials at world level.

They were awarded world class honours with Kafela and Phiri as judges of Kumite and Tshikare as WKF accredited coach.

Giving a keynote address during the ceremony, the BNSC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng said the achievement was not for the three officials only, but for sport as a whole. He emphasised the importance of upholding this excellent performance and aim to achieve more with the current crop of officials.

“This goes a long way in history. We have made this achievement and hope this will be a motivating factor for more good to come” he said. He also commended the trio for contributing towards the development of sport in Botswana. Furthermore, he said successful development of technical officials had a bearing on athletes’ development.

For his part, BOKA president, Million Masumbika applauded the officials for helping achieve goals before time. He said their target was to develop world level qualified athletes and officials and the three were a case in point.  He said their aim was to win a world medal before 2018.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Phiri said they would share the achievement with referees and the association. He appreciated BOKA and BNSC for their continued effort to increase representation at world levels.

The three sensei’s recognition comes just three months towards the African Youth Games which will be held in Gaborone 2014 in May.  ENDS