Botswana sends team to Africa karate event

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Thursday April 8, 2010 00:00

 

The team is under the tutelage of instructor Andrew Dobolo assisted by Mothusi Ramontshonyana, Keorapetse Dube, Moses Tubego and Mothusi Lenkwetse.

Dobolo said they have taken a large number of karatekas because they want them to gain exposure since this is the first time that the country is taking part in the competition.

 Besides Botswana, other countries expected to take part in the tournament are hosts South Africa, Ghana and Cameroon.

Dobolo is confident that his charges will bring home medals considering the training that they have gone through. The karatekas are aged between 7-15 years. Dobolo said apart from winning medals, the competition will be an eye opener to the karatekas.

He is confident that they would do well especially in kumite. He has reservations about kata because as the instructor, he is still learning the technique and may not have imparted lessons to the karatekas.

 Dobolo expressed hope that some of the karatekas would be graded at the event. He said since Ryushin-Kan was affiliated to Botswana Karate Association (BOKA), things have been going well.

He thanked the association for its assistance and making the trip possible. At a farewell press conference yesterday, Basadi Akoonyatse of Women and Sports Botswana (WASBO) encouraged the karatekas to fear nobody and do their best in SouthAfrica.  She said sport is about discipline and told the youngsters to take instructions and do what they have been taught.

She said the karatekas should be true ambassadors of the country on and off the dojo.

The team leaves tomorrow and is expected back on Sunday.