Karate, BNSC meet over Commonwealth tourney
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday February 12, 2021 14:07
BOKA was provisionally awarded the rights to host the championships and the meeting is expected to make the decision official.
Botswana faced competition from Sri Lanka and Barbados. BNSC acting chief executive officer (CEO), Tuelo Serufho said it was not yet official that BOKA would host the championships.
BOKA president, Tshepho Bathai on the other hand insisted there was nothing to stop them from hosting the event. He said Serufho could have waited for a pronouncement from the BNSC Board Games Committee.
“I think the CEO (Serufho) needed the board’s approval to say the event could now be held in 2023 instead of 2024.
It is only now that they have called a meeting with BNSC Board Games Committee for discussion. The committee would then take it to the BNSC Board next week with a recommendation.
It is only a difference of a month, December 2023 and 2024. I do not think they would allow this opportunity to escape,” he said.
Bathai said they have submitted a budget of P8 million to the
government, but the figure would be revised when BOKA and the BNSC Games Committee discuss the matter.
BOKA holds its elections this year, and there is a possibility of leadership change.
But Bathai said even if there was a change of guard, all is on track as he has been appointed the project’s chief executive officer. A
ccording to an appointment letter from Commonwealth Karate Federation (CKF), Bathai would have oversight of the project and would be tasked with working with BOKA, relevant CKF committees and CKF executive board.
“The championships would bring a lot of benefits to the country with 15 development centres all with training mats, 18 World qualified referees, seven World qualified coaches, 30 first aiders, six video review equipment, seven World Karate Federation (WKF) approved tournament mats, World-class athletes, Long Term Athletes Development Framework and training equipment,” Bathai said.
He added there would be a training facility developed and a BOKA leadership academy would be set up, in addition to improved governance structures. He said there would be 60 tablets and two computers left for the office.
Bathai said they intend to purchase two heavy-duty printers, train two administrators on television and broadcasting rights and also improve event management skills.
“We are looking forward to the championships leaving a legacy of sports medicine through workshops that would be conducted.
We also expect BOKA medical commission to have the best practice structures.
The economy would also benefit, especially businesses in Gaborone. After hosting this event, we expect improved relations with WKF, CKF, Commonwealth Sport and International Olympic Committee,” Bathai said.