Coach Worried About Fitness Of Women Karatekas
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday February 25, 2019 12:56
The female martial artists were vying for places in the senior national team that would represent the country at Region V, UFAK championship, World Cup and All Africa games. The selection for the junior team was held the previous weekend at Molapo Crossing.
Speaking to Sport Monitor, senior national team coach, Chris Ponatshego said there was a lot of work that neededto be done with the women’s team.
“The women are still heavy, but in this sport we need lightness in order to be flexible and be able to compete. Anyway, people are coming from festive break! From here, I expect them to train harder and we would also push them when we go into camp,” he said.Ponatshego said men were in better shape and it would be easier to work with them. He added that the team would be better prepared if they were given enough time in camp. He said when there is no interference, a coach could take the team to a level where Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) wants. Ponatshego said at the moment he has not been given the quota for the team.
BOKA president, Tshepho Bathai revealed that the team that is being picked is for the whole year with the process expected to take two months, for both juniors and seniors. “The seniors have to accumulate points during the three stages that they go through. The next championship is slated for March 9 and the final is due last weekend of March. By month end, we will have a national team,” Bathai said.
He said they want to field all categories by invitations and that is the principle they would use throughout the competitions. Bathai said the immediate attention is given to UFAK team which will be in camp every weekend.
Some of the results:
Men plus 84kg: 1. Mogakolodi Motlhabi 2. Bose Caiphus.3. Phemo Moreo
Men under 84kg: 1. Oratile Caiphus 2. Mpho Bosenakitso 3. Abednico Ditsele.
Women under 68kg: 1. Tsholofelo Maduma 2. Thabang Malebe 3. Panaki Thoolebe
Women under 61kg: 1. Thato Malunga 2. Gaolathe Tjetjo 3. Lethabo Sekano
Women individual kata: 1. Entle Maungwa 2. Lame Hetanang 3. Centty Kgosikoma
Men individual kata: 1. Ofentse Bakwadi 2. Tlotlang Ponatshego 3. Vincent Mogale