Fencing parries out of obscurity
Spira Tlhankane | Friday April 3, 2015 10:34
The Botswana Amateur Fencing Society (BAFS) president, Gaolatwe Modongo said they are ready to take the sport to the people.
Fencing has existed since 2008, but it was only last week that the sport officially joined the mainstream as its membership was ratified at the BNSC ordinary general meeting.
Modongo is aware that they have to augment whatever they get from the government as a grant. He said they need sponsorship in order to move forward.
“We are trying to package our product because we believe that sport is a business so we need to fulfill all the necessary requirements,” he said.
He said Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) has been helping them to package their product.
Modongo said they expect BNSC to provide an office and other necessary benefits extended to other member affiliates.
“We want to be on the budget. We are currently finalising our calendar and we want to align our strategy with that of the BNSC,” he explained. Besides money constraints, Modongo revealed that they were currently on a mission to take the sport to the people.
“We are striving to enhance the value of fencing and increase its popularity,” he said.
Modongo said they hosted their first ever tournament in Mogoditshane over the weekend, where 47 athletes from across the country took part.
Modongo said they invited Gauteng Fencing Association from South Africa who brought seven athletes. He said the presence of the more experienced South Africans was to help with technical expertise and coaching.
Modongo argued fencing is very popular even beyond schools and they had established clubs in Mogoditshane and Tlokweng.
“People have shown interest and they feel they can excel in fencing as compared to other sporting codes,” he said.
He said they have had people from basketball and karate joining the sport because they felt they could use the same moves in a more productive way.
He said fencing would not only give them a chance to play for the national team, but also improve their health and fitness.
“Fencing is the next big thing and we now want to go beyond Botswana,” declared Modongo.
Modongo said BAFS is targetting upcoming international tournaments like the Senior Women’s Epee in Johannesburg-South Africa, Junior & Cadet Fencing Championships in Cape Town, South Africa and the All Africa Games.
The society’s Secretary General, Thato Gleeson said they now have seven active clubs. Gleeson said they had improved their visibility since their participation at the 2014 Gaborone Africa Youth Games (AYG) last May.
He said out of the five athletes who competed at the games, one of them, Karabo Thobega has been sponsored by the federation to study a Fencing Master course in Senegal.
“Upon return, the 18 year old would become a fighter who could advise, guide and direct the training. He will run weapons at the highest level,” said Gleeson.
Unlike other sporting codes, Gleeson said fencing is evenly balanced with both men and women equally presented.
He said they currently have one bronze medal acquired by Resego Bokete at the Africa Junior Championships in South Africa in 2010.
Fencing uses three types of weapons namely foil, épée and sabre and athletes generally choose to develop their skills in one weapon.
Fencing is already making waves in neighbouring countries like South Africa, therefore growing the sport will not only benefit the association to have a strong voice, but it will allow the nation to shine in a sport few know about.