Four horse race for BOKA presidency
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday February 10, 2017 11:13
Mmegi Sport is reliably informed that former president, Sensei Tshepo Bathai of Karate Numichi, Kufukan chairperson, Sensei Million Masumbika, current vice president-techinical, Shihan Mpho Bakwadi and incumbent president, Sensei David Mathe are interested in the presidency.
Karate has been embroiled in fierce infighting in the past year, with some affiliates calling for a motion of no confidence on the executive. Despite that, the executive has managed to cling on and will see out its term in May.
The current committee came into office in 2015 after the previous leadership was sent packing under a cloud. Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday, Bathai said he has not decided if he will contest. He said there are affiliates requesting him to contest. He said it means such affiliates were impressed by his performance during his tenure as BOKA president.
“It means they know my capabilities. They are even apologising for the decisions they took the last time when they removed me from office. I am still exploring my options and I will make a decision when the time is right,” he said.
For his part, Mathe said he is far from thinking about seeking another term in office. He said his focus at the moment is to complete the work that is before him because time is not on his side. Mathe said his focus is to complete the amendment of BOKA constitution and BOKA strategy.
“I have been in the executive of karate for more than two decades. I have served under different portfolios. The issue of seeking another term is still far from my mind. I would inform you when the time is right, whether to contest or not,” Mathe said.
BOKA affiliates met in an ordinary meeting last year where one of the resolutions was to establish a committee responsible for over seeing Re Ba Bona Ha project. Reacting to the progress made by the committee, Mathe revealed that nothing has been done yet. He said the committee falls under the technical commission.
“The committee has some logistical challenges which we are failing to address as the executive. We are yet to go back and consult the technical committee. After all this has been sorted, we can then give the committee the mandate to go ahead,” he said.
Mathe noted that the matter was an assignment not a resolution from the meeting. The incoming committee is expected to serve for four years if, by the time elections are held, the amendments are finalised.