Lack of sponsorship hampers Ryushin-Kan tourney
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday August 25, 2026 09:58
The tournament was attended by members of Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) and was aimed at giving upcoming karatekas an opportunity to compete against their peers. The federation chief instructor, Keorapetse Dube, told SportMonitor that it is difficult to plan for an event without sponsorship.
Hence, he highlighted that lack of sponsorship affected their plan and ambition for the tournament.
Despite the situation that they found themselves in, Dube said the tournament went ahead with the little that they had.
But the support from BOKA executive committee members, clubs, officials and parents was amazing. He highlighted that organising a tournament comes with costs and there is no way to avoid them.
“It was a development tournament. Attendance was between 300 and 400 athletes, which is a huge number,” he added.
“We did not have individual events, we had team events with Pro Fitness winning the male team event while Village Garrison won the female team event. The Botswana Kofukan Federation that was held in Francistown on the same day did not affect us.”
Meanwhile, Kofukan chief instructor, Otto Tafa said their tournament was also a success, despite not being BOKA affiliates.
He revealed that they had clubs from Francistown, Borolong, Selebi-Phikwe and that there was some members of Ryushin-Kan who took part in the tournament.
Tafa added that being outside BOKA has not dampened their spirits because of the love they have for karate.
“We have many athletes outside Gaborone, but you can never hear that BOKA has hosted a tournament outside Gaborone like other codes such as softball that host events outside the city.
“So, our tournament was meant to give those athletes an opportunity to compete because some cannot afford to travel to competitions in Gaborone,” he said.
“We continue to develop the sport, we had athletes who took part in the BOKA national team selections following an instruction from the Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng.
“Those athletes were accompanied by their parents as their coaches were not permitted to attend. Despite winning medals in different categories, none of them was selected into the national team.”
The senior men category champion is Serati Dikgang of Eagle Claw karate club from Phikwe.
The senior women category was won by Katlego Mosweunyane of Kagiso karate club and the best female karate award went to Katlego Dibuile.
Kagiso club emerged as the best overall team after winning more medals while some medals were awarded to karatekas who competed in the junior categories.