Umbrella martial arts body a dream
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday November 11, 2023 06:00
But that is not something that will happen, according to Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) president, Shihan Mpho Bakwadi. He told MmegiSport that BOKA is a member of the World Karate Federation (WKF) and they are an Olympic sport. “BABUSA is doing full contact and we do not subscribe to that. Being under one body with them is not something that can happen,” he said. Last week, Bakwadi paid a courtesy call to the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) offices accompanied by BABUSA founder, Shihan Thuto Thuto. When asked about the joint visit, Bakwadi said it did not mean anything. “I never had issues with Thuto, so we accompanied him to BNSC as a courtesy, not that we will be one organisation. We even train together just for our personal development,” Bakwadi said. The latest development coincided with the visit of Japanese karate instructor, Sensei John Rakoto who was in the country.
For his part, Thuto said the most important thing is that BABUSA and BOKA were under one roof during the Japanese's visit, to support him as brothers in karate. “They saw what I am trying to do. I explained to them in front of Rakoto that the BOKA era was over. We have talent out there that needs to be nurtured in Chinese martial arts, Tang Soo Do and others. These people are part of us as Batswana, as a martial arts community,” he said. Thuto, who is International Shitoryu Kenshikan Karate Do Botswana (ISKKB) chief instructor and also the founder of BABUSA, said they would now have an official engagement. He said when Tshepho Bathai was BOKA president, he always avoided BABUSA meetings even when requested to attend by the BNSC. He said things have now changed because they can meet with BOKA without the involvement of the BNSC.
Thuto said some BOKA executive committee members even believe he can be part of the management and contribute because he has experience. However, when he becomes part of BOKA he cannot leave behind other BABUSA members. “I am open to discussions, if they do not agree with my vision, they will guide me. As long as we can make sure that all martial arts are registered under the BNSC, I do not know. I believe that BABUSA can be the vehicle and BOKA can join us. If they do not want to join us, they will find a different way,” he said. Thuto explained that as things stand, working with Bakwadi was an indication of harmony. Meanwhile, Rakoto was in Gaborone at the invitation of ISKKB. Thuto said Rakoto was in the country to standardise the technique, as he is the president of ISKK international. “When he came to Botswana he was from Brazil, then India and Sri Lanka. Most of us are doing karate but we do not understand the Japanese terminologies. Rakoto was here to offer us access to authentic Shitoryu Karatedo through traditional training methods as well as cultural exchange and personal enrichment between our members,” he said.
Thuto said it was the first time Rakoto visited Africa. He explained that Botswana was the first country in the continent to be an ISKK affiliate. He said the entire BABUSA members attended the training.