Thuto vowed over the weekend that it is high time the BNSC recognised BABUSA. Speaking to SportMonitor on the sidelines of the inaugural International Shito-Ryu Kenshikan Kenshikai Karatedo Botswana (ISKKB) inter club tournament held at University of Botswana Students Centre, Thuto said BABUSA caters for the world unlike Botswana Karate Association (BOKA).
“BABUSA is new in this country and because it is me, we are faced with challenges when we want to register with the BNSC. But we will not give up. We will keep fighting, it is our right. We are here to cater for those students who are talented but cannot get an opportunity to represent their country because of the system of governance we find ourselves under,” Thuto said. He revealed that the BNSC is no longer responding to their letters and the plan is for BABUSA executive committee to have a meeting where a decision will be taken to raise their concern with the BNSC board chairperson.
Thuto said they want to deal with the matter according to protocol until they reach the minister if they do not get assisted by the relevant people. “Even early this year, we wrote to the BNSC, no reply. Last year I engaged the BNSC chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho, to find out what is going on. Being part of BNSC will assist us a lot; at the moment we are struggling,” he said.
Thuto said in June they are planning a trip to France and ISKK founder, Sensei Rakoto John would be visiting Botswana in August. He said afterwards, a big ISKK tournament is on the card, followed by the BABUSA workshop. Regarding the tournament, Thuto said the interclub was meant to expose his students to competition ahead of the BABUSA national championships set for May. He said it is unfortunate that they did not get any sponsorship but only the parents assisted and the funds were used to buy medals. “It is not about making money, we are servants of the sport. It is about doing something that you are passionate about.
The competition is about giving the kids an opportunity to do what they like, at the end of the day taking responsibility. Martial arts teach students self defence, even if you lose a match, they are also winners just by being in the tatami,” he said. Thuto said he was impressed with the performance of the students despite being under the new style. The tournament was divided into under eight, under 10, under 12, under 14 and under 16. The categories were competing in kata and kumite. Some of the results: Kata: Girls 14-15 years: Rathaya Tanyala (gold), Rotlhe Motlhabi (silver) and Raata Tanyana (bronze). Girls 16-17 years: Charity Keloabetswe (gold medal) and Diane Keboatlholetswe (silver medal). Girls: 12-13 years: Rose Kenosi (gold) Aone Tumiso (silver) and Queen Kenosi (bronze).
