Masumbika forced out of karate race
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday March 24, 2017 15:06
His withdrawal leaves three likely candidates Tshepho Bathai, David Mathe and Mpho Bakwadi. Mmegi Sport is reliably informed that his campaign team was rejected by affiliates from the beginning.
“When we did door to door, we realised that a few people wanted him to contest. Most of the people feel he has served karate and he should serve in other roles other than that of president,” a source who was part of the campaign team said.
He has other commitments in the region and commitments which, affiliates felt, would hinder service delivery. Masumbika is the Region V president and third vice president for Africa Karate (UFAK). He has been with BOKA executive committee for more than 25 years.
Masumbika said he decided to quit the race as he felt he did not have support from the affiliates. He said the main reason advanced was that he held positions outside the country.
“They complained that I had positions in UFAK and Region V. That came as a surprise to me because my predecessors held the same positions and others were even in the Commonwealth,” he said.
Masumbika wondered why he was being given a different treatment from that of his predecessors. He said after being rejected, he decided to keep his positions in UFAK and Region V. “It is not like I am angry at them or karate, I want the sport to grow. I have a federation that needs my undivided attention to grow,” he said.
BOKA president, Mathe said there was no regulation barring anybody from being BOKA president and or involved in other international structures. He said the arrangement is important because it benefits the association itself.
Meanwhile, Mathe was expected to throw his name into the hat yesterday.
“I am still struggling to find a team that I would work with. I expect to submit my name by end of today if things go well. I have informed my federation about my decision to seek another term,” he said.
By Thursday, Bathai was the only one who had submitted his candidacy for the position.