Karate divisions widen
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday August 22, 2025 15:10
Ryushin-Kan will host a tournament at BOKA hall, whilst Kofukan is organising the SSKB Open. Ryushin-Kan is a BOKA member in good standing, whilst Kofukan was recently expelled from the mother body. BOKA president, Mpho Bakwadi, has thrown the book at the organisers of the SSKB Open. “We have been informed of a weekend tournament organised by non-BOKA members called SSKB Open. We want to make it clear that this event is not sanctioned or affiliated with BOKA. As BOKA members, it is essential that you adhere to our organisation’s rules and regulations. Attending, participating, coaching or refereeing in this tournament would be in direct conflict with our policies,” Bakwadi said through a letter addressed to the affiliates on Wednesday.
He warned that any BOKA member found attending, participating, coaching, or referring in the tournament will be at risk of being suspended or facing disciplinary action, including athletes not participating in the tournament, coaches providing guidance or support to athletes or referees officiating matches. “We take our membership rules seriously and expect all our members to uphold the standards and principles of our organisation. We urge you all to prioritise your commitment to BOKA and refrain from involvement in this tournament,” the letter reads. Bakwadi said even the Botswana Football Association (BFA) could not allow its members to take part in a Sunday soccer tournament. SSKB Open tournament organiser and Kofukan acting chief instructor, Otto Tafa, said the letter written by Bakwadi is meant for BOKA members.
“That letter is not meant for us or other federations. We are a registered entity with the Registrar of Societies, and when we registered, we did not say we would go and join associations. We joined BOKA after registration. We have the right to host a tournament, train where we want, BOKA does not control us,” he said. Tafa observed that it is surprising that, after being fired as a BOKA member, Kofukan is still mentioned as an affiliate on the BOKA letterhead. Even at the Registrar of Societies, they are still recognised as BOKA members. “We continue developing karate, let them do what they want, because our tournament continues tomorrow. But it seems like BOKA has a problem with the SSKC club; they never complain when we host tournaments in other areas,” he said.