The event has paved the way for the visit of global Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation (SKIF) chief instructor, Shihan Manabu Murakami, in May 2025. Shotokan Karate International-Botswana chief instructor, Sensei Steady Basupang, said they had two events, which started with a technical seminar conducted by Hanshi Sonny Pillay followed by the Kanazawa Botswana Independence Cup. “The technical seminar was for members of the SKI Botswana and the objective of the two events was a launch of our major international events. We are preparing for the visit by Shihan Murakami scheduled for May 2025.
Hanshi was launching the preparations and assessed the general state of readiness by the SKI Botswana,” he said. Basupang said Pillay gave them positive and encouraging feedback and the requirements for hosting the Grand Master of such a global standard. “Hanshi has been hosting him (Shihan Murakami) in South Africa for many years. So it is now systems go for us to put together preparations for the visit,” he said. Basupang appreciated the support they received from clubs based in Pretoria and Kimberly who came to participate and officiate. Lobatse-based Nihon Karate Kyokai Botswana brought 14 students and two officials. The team won seven gold medals, 11 silver medals, and a bronze. Basupang said the Kanazawa Botswana Independence Cup will now be an annual event with the hope it will grow with local and international karatekas as well as all Shotokan athletes expected to participate in future. For his part, Pillay told MmegiSport that Basupang visited South Africa twice to lay the groundwork for launching the brand in Botswana.
“He also met Shihan Manabu Murakami, and negotiations between the three of us went smoothly. He invited me to Gaborone to introduce the style, and share my skills and experience with him and his students,” he said. The karate maestro Pillay, who is the current president of Karate South Africa (KSA), who founded Shotokan Karate-Do International South Africa (SKISA) in 1977, said there is immense talent in Botswana. However, Pillay believes that there is work to be done, and there is room for improvement. “Shihan Manabu Murakami travels to 35 countries around the world annually, comes to South Africa every April for the past 23 years and now we are going to include Botswana in that tour. I think we need that kind of commitment that Basupang has given me, SKI-Botswana will be ready for the visit,” he said. Meanwhile, the 2024 Commonwealth Karate Federation Championship will now take place in Durban after being cancelled in Bangladesh due to political unrest. Pillay, who is also the Commonwealth Karate Federation president, said the event could not be cancelled because that would look like unfinished business for 2024. “I offered the championships to all other Commonwealth countries to organise and I stated categorically that they will have my support. Sadly, nobody put their hands up and I put my hand up for South Africa.
Many people thought I was crazy to try and advocate that I could organise an international event of that magnitude in such a short space of time,” he said. Pillay said Botswana has already confirmed participation and they are expecting the country to send 50 athletes. “Botswana has some of the best athletes in the SADC region. One of the karatekas who has impressed me over the years is Ofentse Bakwadi. It is also important to note that Botswana dominated the 2018 Commonwealth Karate Championships in Durban,” he said. Pillay said the Commonwealth Karate Federation Board has made a move to get karate recognised as an integral part of the Commonwealth Games proper. He said the Commonwealth Federation sanctions karate but it is not a Commonwealth sport.
