Karate hosting prospects look gloom

BOKA has been awarded the rights to host the tournament, but the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) has asked the karate body to put its preparations on hold.

This follows amid reports the government was broke to finance the project as the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is fully felt. “For now we have not approved the hosting. We are still doing consultations,” acting BNSC chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho said. The BNSC and BOKA issued a joint statement this week on putting preparations for the event on hold pending consultations. It is reported that the government is not too keen to finance the hosting due to a tight budget. “There is a feeling that there is no convincing case to host the tournament. The cost-benefit analysis is not in favour of BOKA. Yes, there would be benefits in terms of team preparations, but other than that there is no legacy, particularly in terms of infrastructure.