Uproar over karate coaches’ choice
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday June 1, 2024 06:00
The Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) leadership has come under criticism for the 'secret' appointments.
Peter Molefe (Hayashi-Ha), Khaya Groth (Hayashi-Ha), Ofentse Bakwadi (Hayashi-Ha), and Kealeboga Madisa (Shito-Kai) are the selected coaches. On Tuesday evening, BOKA vice president, Union Kgafela, reportedly announced coaches on the association's official WhatsApp group.
Speaking to MmegiSport, concerned BOKA member, Bose Caiphus, said when Kgafela made the announcement, he did not inform the coaches of the criteria to make the appointments. He said they only saw the names of the coaches with the majority of them coming from Hayashi-Ha while one is from Shito-Kai. “We were not aware that BOKA was in the process of appointing coaches. There was no advertisement or official communication from the office. The challenge we are facing is that our executive committee has not come up with a procedure for appointing national team coaches. Last season, BOKA president, Mpho Bakwadi, was influential on how the technical commission made decisions. It is also shocking that when appointments are made, qualifications are not regarded.
We are still in darkness as karate but I am not saying the appointed individuals do not deserve a chance, as that is a story for another day,” Caiphus said. He said BOKA remains clouded in political factions and that is killing the sport, leading to some decisions being taken to punish others. Former national team coach, George Tshikare, said he was also shocked about the appointment of coaches without advertisement. “Everyone should have been given a chance to apply because there are other capable individuals who also could have had interest in the positions. In the past, we were never taken by surprise,” he said. For his part, BOKA president, Mpho Bakwadi brushed aside the complaints saying there were non-starters. He explained that initially they had selected seven coaches and the number was reduced to four.
The national team has 60 karatekas which will be trimmed to 35. “We are not strict on how we do things in the national team. We need good performance and positive results. Even if we are to remain with one or five athletes in the national team who bring results, we will stick with them. Those who are complaining about the appointment of coaches must know that we cannot all be coaches. The time of federation politics and petty talk should be a thing of the past as soon as you become a member of the national team. I know those who were hoping to be national team coaches,” Mpho said.
He mentioned that he was aware that there are a few individuals who feel entitled to be national team coaches but that will not fly under his leadership. Meanwhile, Mpho is in Casablanca, Morocco, for the Africa Karate Federation (UFAK) meeting and he is also set to have a one-on-one meeting with World Karate Federation (WKF) president, Antonio Espinos.