Karate Coach Unimpressed Over Pending Changes
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday May 20, 2019 12:11
Ponatshego was reacting to reports that changes would be made to team kata ahead of the Region 5 Karate Championships scheduled for Namibia. The team departs for Namibia tomorrow.
He told Monitor Sport on Saturday after the team’s training that at the moment the only team kata that has been sent to Region 5 is the one that he has been training.
Ponatshego said he had learnt that there were some consultations between Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) and Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) regarding the changes, but he was yet to get feed back over the meetings.
“I am not aware of any changes. If there were any changes they would be made. I have given BOKA my team list. If they want to make some changes, they would be accountable for the results,” he said.
Ponatshego said if the team posts poor results, he should not be blamed for the outcome.
He said if they bring a different team kata, they would derail the moral of other karatekas.
“If that happens, I would feel belittled and it would the first time that has happened. I am still to know what is happening. At the end of the day, the coach is the one held responsible,” he said.
Ponatshego said he had agreed with BOKA that team kata that qualified for Beach Games would use Region 5 as a preparatory tournament and then compete at the Africa Karate Championship (UFAK) and All Africa Games.
“I requested them not to have team kata selection because they already had a team. In response they told me that every karateka has to under go a selection process,” he said.
Ponatshego said he was accused of picking a team that did not win during the selection process. According to him, he was abiding to an earlier agreement, but it now seems like he is the one who came up with his own team.
BOKA secretary general, Phineas Motseolapile said discussions were still on going regarding team kata. He said, as of Saturday, they had not finalised anything.
He said the only change that he was aware of, was the inclusion of Quinton Mosupiemang who was initially not in the team.
“After reconsideration, we realised that it was important for him to be in the team. He did not qualify during selection but he should be part of the team for development purposes. It means we are going to field two athletes in the 75kg category,” he said.