Karate 'friends' in bitter fight

Calistus Kolantsho | Friday May 3, 2019 12:13

Cracks started to emerge last August, when the trio decided to terminate the Ryushin-Kan affiliation and instead join Shitoryu Kenwa Kai Karate Do International.

However, the new karate style has brought with it misery, as the three feud. 

Their club, led by Dube, recently travelled to Namibia for a karate tournament. Dube is accused of misusing funds paid by parents for their children’s accommodation expenses as well as for grading.

Shitoryu Kenwa Kai chief instructor, Ramontshonyana has since suspended Dube citing failure to account for funds meant for the trip. The suspension, which effected on April 15, was extended to Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) activities.

“I have written a letter to Botswana Defence Force (BDF) sport office where Dube works to inform them about my decision. He submitted a financial report to the BDF, which we do not know anything about. That is being reckless,” he said.

Ramontshonyana said karatekas did not receive certificates and results after grading in Namibia despite giving Dube the money.

“I followed up the issue with the instructor who was grading and he informed me that my team did not pay. As we speak, payment is pending,” he said.

Following his suspension, Dube called a special general meeting for clubs, last weekend where they took a decision to suspend Ramontshonyana.

Dube told Mmegi Sport that another resolution from the meeting was that they should terminate their affiliation from Kenwa Kai and go back to Ryushin-Kan. “There is nobody with powers to suspend me including the chief instructor, as the chairperson. We dissolved Kenwa Kai committee over the weekend. It means their suspension claims fall off. They have nothing on me,” he said.

Dube said the issue of money for the Namibian trip is not a priority. He said the general members want to return to Ryushin-Kan.

“Kenwa Kai is divided. People want out and those who are talking about funds mismanagement are just pushing their own agenda. We are going back to Ryushin-Kan. The special general meeting was attended by all clubs except Ramontshonyana,” Dube said. Dube said Village, Galaletsang, Xhabara, Oodi, Maun and Prestige clubs attended the weekend meeting.

However, it has emerged that the membership of Oodi and its instructor, Nelson Matshamekwane was terminated last year due to failure to pay affiliation fees. Village Club wrote a letter to Kenwa Kai stating they had not sent a representative to the weekend meeting. One parent said it was premature for the matter to be reported to BDF.

“The club should have engaged us as parents and we have been waiting for them for months now. Sehularo had promised to give us a report, but nothing happened,” said the parent, who preferred anonymity.

Sehularo said there is nothing he can do as parents have reported the matter to BDF. He said they are waiting for a decision from the sport office before they could move forward.