Karate Sends Strong Side To Africa Champs
Naledi Lemogang | Monday May 29, 2017 15:06
The team, under Otto Tafa, comprises karatekas who have been excelling in local and international competitions while there is also a mix of fresh talent.
Tafa said the team has individuals from whom much is expected due to their experience.
Speaking during the team’s send-off ceremony on Friday, Tafa said the squad was selected looking at the current performance, but some, particularly female karatekas dropped out.
“The Africa Championships is the toughest competition in Africa therefore we had to select a team based on performance during training.
The reason why we have one female in the team is that most of the women’s performances dropped during training,” Tafa said. He said Merilyn Mathe, who was part of the team that went to France for Kofukan tournament where she did well, has been dropped as she has been struggling with fitness. Thato Malunga was left out due to health issues. Tafa said the team will bring positive results since the athletes have been responding positively during training.
‘Despite the fact that the team has not been in camp due to lack of funds from BOKA, we have managed to train together daily as a way of maintaining fitness,” he said. BOKA president, Tshepho Bathai said he believes that the team is going to do well in the championships following their preparations.
He said the chosen team is of high profile athletes who always bring home medals from international assignments. “We have one female who will compete in individual kata and the rest of the team will compete in their respective weights of kumite.
Our local official, Mpho Bakwadi who is invited to officiate in the competition and attend a course, will also accompany the team,” Bathai said.
Meanwhile, Bathai said he will be attending the annual general meeting to give support to Million Masumbika who will be standing for the vice presidency. Masumbika is the current vice president and Bakwadi said he has been doing well therefore there is a need to support him during the elections for the benefit of the association.