Ryushun-Kan Team sets medals target

Calistus Kolantsho | Monday June 30, 2014 06:59

 

He said that karate is not all about competing but learning and some of the team members would be going into the competition for exposure. 

Sefularo said they want to avoid putting pressure on the karatekas who will be making their debut at the competition. 

Top karateka, Isaiah Ramontshonyana told The Monitor Sport that it will be the fourth time Botswana will be participating in the competition. 

He said the team is divided into youth and veterans sections. 

Last year, the boys’ kata and men’s kumite did well at the competition and brought home medals. 

Ramontshonyana said their plan was to send the team for training in South Africa, but due to financial constraints, this was not possible. 

“Despite this, we brought a coach here and he was able to take the players through their paces. 

We are hopeful of doing well in the competition,” said Ramontshonyana. 

He said they wanted to take more karatekas to South Africa, but they were restricted because of the Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) competitions that clash with the Cape Town tournament.

Ramontshonyana stated that Botswana karate has progressed as evidenced by the brilliant performance at the just ended Africa Youth Games.  Credit Factors and Discounters has contributed P6,000 to sponsor the Botswana team to the Ryushin-Kan International Karate tournament. 

The company’s operations manager, Sherman Selepe said they decided to partner with karate because of the potential the sport has shown over the years. Selepe explained that they have identified Mooketsi Motseko to be their brand ambassador. He said the company would pay for his travelling expenses to Cape Town.