Karate judges flunk WKF exams

Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday February 20, 2018 12:10

 

Rakgampu would have secured entry into both the WKF kata and kumite, while Kgafela failed the kata judge competition.

The two will be given another opportunity to get their badges as international judges next year.

Kgafela blamed the new rules being introduced by the WKF, as the locals were not well versed with them.

Meanwhile, Region V senior male under 60kg kumite defending champion, Thabang Setshego has left the country for studies in Malaysia. 

Setshego leaves at a time when the Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) is going through a selection process for the national teams.

He will not be able to defend his kumite title, with Botswana hosting the regional championships later this year.

However, Setshego will be back for the Africa Championship in South Africa in

August.  Last year he won a silver medal at the competition.

Setshego left the country last week to study Bachelor of Business in Human Resources Management.

Setshego said the Ministry of Education and the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) sponsor his studies.

“I am an Elite Scholarship beneficiary so it was easy for me to further my studies here (in Malaysia),” he said.

Setshego said while he has regrets about missing out on the national team selection, he could not miss an opportunity to further his studies.

BOKA president, Tshepho Bathai said elite athletes are part of the national team by default.  He said the mandate of BOKA is to monitor their training and that they take part in local tournaments where they are based, and this applies to Setshego.