30 Oct 2023

Growing karate at grassroots and amateur level would help enrich the sport.

Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) president, Shihan Mpho Bakwadi said this as he hailed Karate TAB Open Karate Championships  over the weeekend for catering for age categories as  young as four years, saying grassroots development is key.

Hosting the tournament at Thebepatshwa, away from Gaborone, helped in unearthing hidden talents, Shihan Bakwadi said.

He said the move helped in talent scouting and identification drive.

Shihan Bakwadi, who is also the Hayashi-Ha chief instructor in Botswana, appealed to the government to channel more funds towards developing karate.

He said there is a good track record that shows karate is one of the powerhouses of local sport and therefore investing more money in it, particularly grassroots development, would bring good results.

Shihan Bakwadi said more funds are needed for training camps, equipment and facilities.

Sensei Pace Kago of Thebepatshwa Hayashi-Ha Karate Academy said the championships gave all BOKA affiliates a chance to showcase their might on kata and kumite.

He was happy that the participants put up a good show. Sensei Kago said through the use of sports data system, the tournament exposed those who participated to the outside world as their results were recorded online.

The sensei was hopeful that they will attract more participants during the next addition of the TAB tournament.

“It would help us to achieve our intension to reach out to local and regional karatekas and grow the sport,” Sensei Kago said.

Sensei Tengo Motsamai of Club Yun Genius Karate Academy  of Shotokan style in Francistown hailed the use of sports data system as it can market karate and help lure sponsors.

Sensei Motsamai was of the view that catering for young athletes stimulated grassroots development. ENDS