BWF gets invitation from SA wrestling body

SYLVIAH DISELE
Correspondent | Thursday September 13, 2012 00:00

The South African wrestling body has already congratulated BWF, as new members of the Wrestling Federation in Southern Africa.

South Africa was among countries present on August 3 in London where two African countries, Botswana and Ghana, were confirmed by the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) congress as new members.

SAWF has invited their Botswana counterparts to a FILA sanctioned coaches course in Johannesburg and Pretoria from  November 26 until  December 2. 'For the very first time in the history of wrestling in Botswana, we will send a team of people who will be turned into qualified coaches before the end of the year,' said Sharp.

He said Botswana would boost its pool of qualified coaches. The South African wrestling federation will also give BWF the 2013-training calendar for coaches. Sharp added that they advertised for the post so that those who are interested could apply. The five who will attend the coaching course are Moagi Sharp, Mompati Kebotlogetse, Kabelo Ramokaenyana, and two women, Thato Machobala and Matshidiso Lebuile.

Meanwhile, BWF has partnered with Humana People To People to encourage behavioural change in the fight against HIV. Wrestling will be used as an intervention tool in building the character of children. Sharp said they would teach children wrestling styles that include arm wrestling and free style, while at the same time teaching them life skills.

The founding president of wrestling said that they had realised that the majority of children in Botswana like wrestling; so it should be easy to mobilise them. He said they would from time to time organise arm wrestling competitions for these children.