BOKA equips technical department

In the time of Covid -19 where sports has been crippled with little to no activity, some sports codes have resorted to operational activities, enhancing the experience and training of coaches and referees.

The Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) has not been left behind in the quest to equip and refine coaches and referees with the necessary skills. The association hosted its coaching course over the weekend where 12 coaches and 25 referees attended and under went training. In an interview, BOKA president Tshepo Bathai said referees and Coaching Courses are carried out in four places around Botswana. “We hosted the first one in Gaborone this past weekend, the next will be in Palapye on16th October, followed by Francistown on 17th October and Maun on the 24th.”

The referees and Technical Commissions conduct the courses. Sensei Mpho Bakwadi is the main resource person in the Referees course while Sensei Christopher Ponatshego resources the coaches. Moreover, successful individuals will be accredited Coaches, Certified Kumite Coach and Certified Kata Coach, “Our first session in Gaborone, saw only 35 coaches and referees grace the event.”

Bathai said they are expecting over 55 coaches and referees across the country to graduate from the courses. In addition, these courses are minimum requirements for any coach to officiate at BOKA events. Meanwhile, the training of coaches and referees is expected to greatly benefit BOKA, “this means we will have more athletes understanding WKF rules and have a smooth running of the local championships,” Bathai said.

Moreover, he said they are expecting to host a Kata tournament the first weekend of December.“We are hosting our Championship, for now we are not certain if it will be an online kata tournament or it will fuse in all of our styles.”