Dipatane lands continental karate post

He is the secretary of the Botswana Ryshin Kan karate style. Dipatane is a former Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA) assistant secretary general. He beat two South Africans to clinch the African karate position.  The delighted Dipatane said he will do his best in executing his duties in the new post. He said he is humbled by the trust that the association has shown on him.

'This is a rare opportunity and I am really honoured to be given this position,' he told Mmegi Sport. Dipatane is a lawyer by profession. He said besides his professional vocation, he thinks he was elected because he is a hard worker who has shown commitment in local sports.  'Though I am not an athlete anymore, I still want to contribute to sports and this (election) gives me an opportunity to do so,' he said. He said his election will put Botswana on the Ryshin Kan world map. His duties include selling the style to other African countries.  In Africa, the style is only in Botswana and South Africa.

Ryshin is a relatively new style in Africa and was only established in Botswana in 2007. Though successful Ryshin tournaments have been staged locally, the style only got affiliation to the Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) early this year.

The delay was a result of affiliates doubting the capability of chief instructor, Andrew Dobolo since he had just retired as a karateka. Besides the election of Dipatane to the top post in the style, Botswana had another reason to smile when Dobolo was trained in Ryshin and made a full instructor.