Karate team kicks in Namibia
KARATEInternational Ryushin-kan Karate Do Botswana Chairperson, Sensei Keorapetse Dube says they are targeting 5 gold medals at the Luderitz Open which is slated for Saturday in Luderitz, Namibia and conclude on Sunday. The team left for Lüderitz, Namibia on August 22 to attend the Luderitz karate open championship which will go on from 24-25 August 2018 and return on the 26 August 2018.
The team had to leave early in order to acclimatize with the weather conditions in Namibia. According to Dube 45 athletes from Botswana are expected to compete in the championship which will attract countries like Zambia, South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique. “The 45 athletes are expected to compete in individual and team events,” he said.
Nonetheless the team is made up of young athletes as the club looks to further their grassroots development program, “We are traveling with a youthful side, amongst them is 11 year-old Tumiso Tselaesele and 13 year- old Zone 6 silver medallist, Boago Balemogi.”
“Taking these young athletes to such a big international tournament is one bright idea since they will gain exposure and build their confidence going into other tournaments of high magnitudes across the world, those who failed to qualify for national team events are going to benefit hugely from this tournament” he says. However, Dube says they are not expecting much from the team as they target just 5 gold medals, “ we have about 15 seniors in the team so we expect medals from them, if we are going to get medals from the youngsters it will be a bonus.
Our development strategy is long term and of high performance it allows us not to burden the kids but let them develop within their space.”