Karate woes head to OP
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday October 12, 2026 06:00
Last year, Kofukan, Shukokai Shito-Ryu, Karate Nomichi and Goju-Kai were expelled from karate body following their attendance at an unauthorised meeting.
The tension is set to reach the highest office in the land, with a petition being prepared for submission to the Office of the President (OP). The document seeks intervention and formal stakeholder engagement on current karate governance and athlete-related concerns. The petition is in the process of being signed by athletes, former national team athletes, coaches, clubs and other stakeholders within the karate community.
One of the petitioners, Boitumelo Koone, explained the purpose of the petition was to request formal engagement with affected athletes and stakeholders. He added they wanted clarity on current karate governance and participation procedures. “A transparent mechanism through which athletes can raise concerns affecting their participation and sporting careers. Appropriate consideration of concerns relating to athlete representation and protection. 'Clarification of the relationship between BOKA, its affiliates, clubs, and athletes regarding participation in karate activities. Appropriate intervention or referral where the relevant sporting authorities have been unable to resolve the concerns and written feedback to the petitioners regarding the appropriate process for addressing these matters,” the document reads.
Koone said in the petition that they were not asking the OP to overturn a judicial decision, but rather to consider the current and continuing issues affecting athletes and the administration of karate, including developments that have occurred since the previous dispute.
“We have previously attempted to raise concerns through the relevant sporting structures, including the Ministry of Sport and Arts. Despite these efforts, we believe that a number of concerns remain unresolved or require further clarification and structured engagement. The petition therefore seeks assistance in establishing an appropriate process through which the concerns can be considered by all relevant stakeholders,” the document reads.
Koone said there was a notice of concern from BOKA addressing the participation of non-affiliated clubs or individuals in events organised by the association’s affiliates.
He said the notice reminded members of BOKA’s constitutional requirements and advised members, clubs, officials, coaches, and athletes to desist from activities that were inconsistent with those requirements. As petitioners, he noted, they were seeking clarification on the practical application of these requirements to athletes.
The document states that one of the central concerns raised in the petition is the voice of athletes in matters affecting their sporting careers. The petitioners have proposed a structured mechanism through which athletes can participate in discussions concerning welfare, participation, selection, and disciplinary procedures, amongst other matters.
“We acknowledge that the disagreements within karate previously resulted in court proceedings. We respect the judicial process and the outcome of the proceedings. We are asking that the current sporting environment and the continuing concerns of athletes be considered independently from the question that was determined by the court,” the document adds.
However, Koone said the petition should not be construed as an attack on karate as a sport, any individual athlete, coach or official, nor was it an attempt to create further division.