Confusion surrounds karate national team camp
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday May 17, 2022 06:16
The stroke that broke the camel’s back was when the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) announced that it did not have funds for the Region 5 trip. This was followed by the team being called for training without the knowledge of the coaches.
“The senior national team coaches were not informed about the training and that is why they did not attend. It seems like there is communication break down between the senior national team coaches and the vice president-technical. This is a crucial moment and we expect them to be working as a united front,” a source told Sport Monitor.
BOKA vice president-technical, David Hubona, however, told Sport Monitor that the senior team coaches were informed about the training.
“If they did not show up, there must be reasons for that. Regarding team selection, it was based on the points that each athlete collected in the Karate League. The coaches and I have had discussions about that and it is what the executive committee has decided will be the selection criteria,” Hubona said.
Meanwhile, BOKA spokesperson, Isaiah Ramontshonyana said communication was released to all stakeholders ahead of the weekend training camp. He also said it was unfortunate that coaches were not aware that the team should prepare. He said there was nothing strange in having the training because the championship is around the corner.
“There is a lot that is happening with this competition and we need to make sure that the athletes are focused. The issue of funding the trip should not affect the team. So I expect everyone to step up,” he said.
Another source revealed that there was also a mix up when the list of the national team was compiled. “The list that was compiled did not reflect the correct BOKA standings. The names in the different categories were wrong. We cannot be having such mistakes when results are available,” a source said. The source said coaches have been sidelined and there was no selection criteria done ahead of the final selection. The source further said the coaches have no control of the team. Ramontshonyana said it was not true that the coaches had no control of the team. He said the reason why they were appointed was for them to train the team and they have not been sidelined.