Hayashi-Ha team leaves for world event

The Botswana team will be under the tutelage of Sensei Mpho Bakwadi who left on Sunday to take part in the umpire's course that started yesterday. The team comprises Khaya Groth, Nonofo Keokilwe, Mohammad Ali Hussain, Kaene Kago, Kayle Bannister, Asheilan Naicker and the only female Pearl Ranna. All of them will take part in kata and kumite.

Other top names that were initially expected to travel with the team like Kevin Groth, Ofentse Bakwadi and Tebogo Molapong could not make it because of school and work commitments. Mpho Bakwadi said the absence of the three karatekas will obviously affect the team. He said the likes of Groth are a motivation to colleagues and his absence will not only affect the performance but the mood of the team.