Hayashi-Ha selects US Open squad

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Thursday December 3, 2009 00:00

 

The players won gold medals at the recent Hayashi Ha junior championships. Hayashi-Ha public relations officer, Jerry Ditlhong said he is confident that the karatekas will not disappoint at the US Open. He said they have worked with most of the karatekas and they have shown potential. 'Most of them have participated at the US Open and have also performed well in other tournaments this year,' he said.

Ditlhong is worried that the festive season break will affect the team's rhythm. 'What they have to do to stay in shape is to eat moderately and also make it a habit to exercise regularly,' he said. He stated that they wanted to take more karatekas to the US Open but they were limited by the unavailability of funds. He said some karatekas who came second and third in the Hayashi Ha tournament had performed well and deserve to be in the team had it not been for insufficient funds. 'Children who performed well at the tournament and can sponsor themselves will be more than welcome to join us as we are looking at fielding as many participants as possible,' he added.

Ditlhong said the association has managed to raise funds to send the team to the US although he could not be drawn into disclosing the amount. Traditional sponsors, Western Union and Electrical Components who both donated 50,000 for the last edition are expected to continue assisting the team for next year's event.  Some of the karatekas who qualified for the US Open are the Groth brothers Khaya and Kevin, Ahmed brothers Mohammad Ali and Ahmed, Bannister brothers Nathan and Kyle. Ditlhong said the girls have shown tremendous improvement and the likes of Naledi Kefitlhile and Oratile Mookodi are expected to flourish at the US Open. The youngest member of the squad is six years old while the eldest is 18.