Parents decry high cost of taekwando
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday June 12, 2015 11:36
A relatively new sport in Botswana that was formed in 2007, taekwando only made its mark at the Second Africa Youth Games. Botswana Taekwando Federation (BTF) is determined to popularise the sport around the country, but faces financial constraints.
Gaofengwe Kepaletswe, whose child has been selected for a trip to South Korea, complained about the high costs. Parents are expected for fork out P20,000 towards the 10-day trip to Asia.
Kepaletswe told Mmegi Sport she is unemployed and unable to meet financial demands of the new sport. Kepaletswe said the money is for air tickets. “I am unemployed and it is not possible for me to raise such an amount. The coaches have encouraged us to find sponsorship for our children, but that has been a challenge,” she said.
Kepaletswe said she has approached some organisations only to be informed that they do not offer sponsorship to individuals, but rather to teams. She argued that it is the responsibility of the coaches to find sponsorship for the children.
She said the sport is costly and has long advised her child to quit and join a different code. Kepaletswe said they are expected to make contributions every time there is trip.
Another parent, Modiri Mokati said she was also struggling to raise funds for her son’s trip. She said it is always difficult to pay even when the team is travelling to a neighbouring country like South Africa. Mokati’s child is a member of Integrity Taekwando Club in Tlokweng. The vice president of Power House Taekwando Club, Tumelo Mapila said the sport is all about voluntarism. He said the Korea trip is optional. Mapila said BTF encourages clubs to raise funds. For her part BTF technical director, Gladys Njoroge said parents have been issued with official letters to assist them find sponsorship.
She said the Korea trip was important because it is part of All Africa Games preparations. She said the training is provided by the best in the sport and the World Taekwando Federation is providing everything, but air transport.
“At the moment nobody has raised the needed amount. If we miss out on the training, then we are doomed,” said a disappointed Njoroge. She said the P200, 000 grant they received from the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) was insufficient. She called upon parents to support their children. Njoroge said the problem is mostly associated with government schools. She added that BNSC wants to be associated with athletes who excel and without support taekwando would struggle.