Fencer devastated as China trip falls through
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday July 20, 2018 13:50
Botswana Amateur Fencing Federation (BAFF) technical director, Sam Chape said they only learnt of the invitation to participate in the competition a week before the championships and despite the last minute rush to make the trip, they failed.
“We only learnt of the invitation last week Friday, which is just a week before the competition. We wonder what really transpired as normally they send these kinds of invitations four months before a competition. We tried to secure a visa for the athlete but the Chinese Embassy denied us as they said they do not have an urgent visa, even though we even presented a letter from the BNSC (Botswana National Sport Commission),” Chape said.
BAFF secretary general, Letlhogonolo Ramosesane said the association had also failed to secure a flight, which would have arrived in Xuwi in time for the competition. “We only saw the invitation at the last minute and our preparations were under pressure from the moment we leant of the competition. We tried to book a flight for her but we could not find one that would arrive that side before the competition,” she said.
“If we sent her, she would have not had time to acclimatise and ready for the competition hence why the trip did not materialise. It is a very sad situation for us all.” Modise has been in fine form this season, clinching gold in all her local competitions. Despite her young age, Modise was set to compete in the Senior Epee category as she recently acquired her Master badges in the sport.
“The competition was really going to help her a lot. She would have been exposed to the world standards of fencing, which is good for any athlete. Looking at the form she has been, I believe she was going to do very well. It is not good for any sport or athlete. She is devastated but understands that it was not possible for her to make the trip this time around. But if these kind of things persist, it may kill the fencers’ morale and put a bad image on the sport as a whole,” Chape said.