The club's secretary, Ofentse Bakwadi, told MmegiSport that they struggle to attract sponsors despite the talent that they have. He said sponsors could be reluctant to work with the style due to a combination of factors such as limited mainstream appeal compared to other sports and lack of media coverage like other codes such as football. “From the outside, one might think that we had many sponsors during the Gabs Open International Karate Championship, but that was not the case. We are struggling just like other styles. We had other companies that were sponsoring us for the first time. I know they were a bit sceptical, wondering if they would get the mileage they expected. We are hopeful that next year we will get something better and will surely make the event more exciting and memorable for all,” he said.
Bakwadi said the budget for hosting a tournament like the Gabs Open International Karate Championship varies depending on factors such as venue rental, marketing and promotion, staffing, equipment, and prize money. He explained that they had to cut out a lot of items and ended up doing only the basics due to a lack of funds. He said for them to host a successful event, they should have P1 million in the bank. Bakwadi said for them to be more attractive to sponsors, they need to focus on enhancing karate visibility through increased media coverage, promoting its values and unique aspects, and establishing partnerships with brands that align with karate’s ethos and target audience. “As Hayashi, we intend to focus on demonstrating the value proposition of sponsoring karate events, highlighting the sport’s reach, dedicated fan base, and potential for brand exposure. We need to build strong relationships with potential sponsors showcasing the positive impact of their involvement is also key to our strategy,” Bakwadi said.
A specialist at the University of Botswana who is always working with mainstream sport, Kagiso Tlhabano, said it is important to know that sponsors do not assist just for the sake of it. She said they sponsor organisations that they believe will help their brand. “In this case, a style needs to consider how what it stands for aligns with the sponsor they are seeking. When requesting sponsorship, think about what value you will bring to the sponsor’s brand. Some questions to ask are: What issues are important to the company? As an organisation, where do you stand with regards to those issues? Do you do things that attract sponsorship?” Tlhabano asked.
Hayashi boasts some of the best talent that also features in the national team, such as 18-year-old Gabriel Molefhe, who is the current Under 60kg champion. He won two bronze medals last year during the UFAK championships in Morocco. There is also Lethabo Sekano, 22, who won a bronze medal at the 2024 African Games in Ghana. Sekano was also part of team kata that qualified for the World Karate Championships to be held in Spain in October. She has been the national kumite champion for the past four years. Other outstanding athletes within the style include Boemo Ramasimong, Thabo Letshwiti, Kagiso Mophuting, Gofaone Mosupiemang, Kao Nsala, and Lesego Masimola.
