BWF await delivery of wrestling equipment
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday December 9, 2014 12:11
He said the mats took long to get to South Africa as they were transported by sea from Russia. Sharp said the delivery of the P450,000 worth of mats has taken longer than expected.
He said the equipment is pivotal to the development of wrestling in Botswana. BWF, Sharp said, has trained eight administrative officers and a coaches course is planned for January.
The developments are meant to speed up the growth of the sport, which has stagnated due to lack of equipment. Sharp said wrestling clubs are forced to practice only one style- arm wrestling- due to lack of equipment. Despite the challenges, Sharp said there was positive response from Selebi-Phikwe where people are eager to become wrestlers.
Meanwhile, Sharp arrived recently from the International Federation of Associated Styles (FILA) congress held in Uzbekistan. He said wrestling governing body has changed its name from FILA to United World Wrestling (UWW). Sharp said the congress also held elections for the executive committee and for the first time Botswana had an opportunity to vote.
“For the first time in the history of the wrestling body, an African has been included in the committee. The president of Morocco Wrestling Federation, Fouad Meskout made it into the committee. The powers of the new president and his committee have been increased to six years in office,” he said.
Sharp mentioned that the increase in the term of office would enable the committee to implement its programmes geared towards the development of the sport especially in Africa.
Moagi explained that as African countries, they also dreamt of participating in the UWW Championship to be held next year.