The Malaysia tournament ends next Tuesday. In an interview with Mmegi Sport before leaving for Malaysia yesterday, Maretlwaneng said he is ready to compete as this will be his first international tournament this year. “All I need to do is to put the Mexico disappointment behind me and focus on the future,” he said. Though the Malaysia tournament is expected to feature some world superstars from Asia, the ever-confident Maretlwaneng promised to do his best. Athletes from to karate nations Japan, Singapore, Philippines and Korea are expected to grace the tournament.
“I am thrilled by the prospect of a meeting with an Asia kareteka because this will be my first time,” Maretlwaneng said. He told Mmegi Sport that he has learned that Asian karetekas are fast but he will use his experience to contain them. “I know that I’ve qualities of doing well so I can’t wait,” he said. Maretlwaneng is mentored by Sensei Con Kassis, a sixth dan black belt. Kassis was at the World Championships in Mexico but he returned in time to motivate the multi-talented Maretlwaneng ahead of the Asian games.
While the rest of the world’s talented karatekas met in Mexico a fortnight ago, Maretlwaneng missed the event because his passport did not arrive in time in Gaborone to have his visa processed.
The passport was sent on October 19 but arrived on Monday this week. Maretlwaneng said he heard the passport took long to arrive because it went through Zimbabwe. He sent the passport to Botswana because it was going to take a month to process the visa in Australia.
Though fingers have been pointed at the Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) for being inefficient, Maretlwaneng did not want to blame anyone for the mishap.
“I don’t want to point fingers at anyone concerning this. But I would like to urge the officials at BOKA to do things in time,” he said. Botswana team coach Solly Reikeletseng said that young Maretlwaneng’s experience was sorely missed in Mexico. “He’s one player I’ve confidence in but it was one of those things,” he said.
BOKA official Gift Nkwe blamed an international private mail agency for the delay of the passport. Nkwe said it is regrettable that the youngster missed the World Championships.
