Karate defends decision to hire foreign coach
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday December 6, 2017 16:14
BOKA president, Sensei Tshepho Bathai told Mmegi Sport yesterday that they took a decision to de-localise the position of head coach. He said local coaches have limitations and Botswana has not been able to win or go past the first round at the World Cup. He said there is always infighting on allegations of styles and favouritism.
“Local coaches are engaged full time elsewhere and those engagements comes first. Us at BOKA, we want a full time head coach. You find that a coach would attend training the last week before a tournament having missed other sessions,” he said.
Bathai said they are in discussion with Egyptian Karate Federation (EKF) to assist BOKA with one coach who has won several World Championships as a coach and athlete. Bathai said EKF has forwarded several curriculum vitaes and they are looking into the issue.
However, BOKA has been criticised for their decision to look beyond borders. Critics argue that local coaches have delivered and the only challenge is that they were not given enough support. A source said the association should have focussed on developing their own coaches instead of getting a foreign coach who comes at a price.
Despite the new development, some local coaches have applied for the head coach’s position. The applicants are Sensei George Tshikare, Sensei Peter Molefhe, Sensei Christopher Ponatshego, Sensei Goitseone Mongologa, Sensei Keone Kgorotlhe and Sensei Otsile Motsamai.
Kgorotlhe was Under-21 assistant coach while Motsamai was assistant for the Under-18 side. Former head coach, Sensei Otto Tafa who took the team to the Africa Championship and Zone VI has not shown interest.
“Shortlisting would be done this week and by end of next week we should be having the names of people who might take the job,” Bathai said.
He said they are also hunting for an assistant coach, to take charge of the teams with karatekas above 18 years. Some of the requirements for the position are that the individual should have a minimum of five years of experience in training, coaching and supporting sport teams. The person should have demonstrated expertise in World Karate Federation (WKF) karate, including in-depth knowledge of Kata and Kumite. The individual should have trained under BOKA accredited coaching level, up to date, first aid certification and referee licence are also listed as a requirement.