Masumbika calls it a day

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday June 4, 2010 00:00

He said a committee, which was established in the early 1980s, was understaffed at the time and because of his commitment to the sport, he was roped in as a treasurer.  Masumbika was an athlete as well, which meant he had to balance his duties, until 2007 when he decided to focus on administration.

He later served as the secretary general, and was also elected to different executive positions in subsequent years, apart from the presidency.

'I have enjoyed serving under the BOKA executive committee for such a long time,' he said. Masumbika believes he has played his part in the development of karate in Botswana. He said he is among the people who recognised the Master of the Shito-Ryu in Japan, Shihan Keiji Tomiyama's visits which played a big part in turning around karate fortunes in the country.

Masumbika however said he would not be completely lost to karate. 'I love karate and I cannot completely retire because there is still much to do to achieve our goals in this country,' he said.

Masumbika said he would continue as an administrator at his club, the Shito-ryu Karate-O Kofukan International, which he founded in 1990.

The club has produced some of the best karatekas in Botswana who have won medals at regional and international competitions.  They include Thabiso Maretlwaneng, Masego Lesotlho, Moses Jones, Vicky Majama, Mbise Takobana, and Boitumelo Koone. Maretlwaneng and Lesotlho are the only athletes to win medals at the World Karate Federation (WKF) Championships held in South Africa in 1996.  Masumbika said he would continue assisting BOKA wherever possible. He said karate has come a long way since its formation. 'My happiest moment will however be when I see the Botswana karate team being part of the Olympics,' he said. He said that Botswana has good athletes who with proper mentoring can realise their full potential. 'As long as we have proper structures manned by people with relevant qualifications and understanding of what is happening around the world, we will reach our peak,' he said.