BOKA selection tourneys grow in popularity

The Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) will have a packed schedule in the next month   as they are expected to select a national team to defend their championship at the 2017 Zone 6 games scheduled for Maputo, Mozambique.

Botswana won the 2016 Zone 6 champions after dominating the regional tournament last year in Harare, Zimbabwe. This week BOKA are expected to conclude the southern qualifiers, which form part of the selection process at BOKA hall in Gaborone.

BOKA spokesperson, Jerry Ditlhong said they expect to hold a short session for under 21 Kumite featuring both men and women. “We have already concluded the kata category,” Ditlhong said this week.

The tournament follows two championship tournaments held in Francistown and Gaborone respectively this past weekend. “The selection qualifiers were separated in north and south for athletes to compete among themselves first as a region and all medallists will have a date in the finals on 18th February 2017 in Gaborone” Ditlhong said.

“In Francistown, the selection was at Donga junior school and in Gaborone it was held at Molapo piazza. The selections had a huge turn out that it was estimated at 20percent increase compared to last year.” At the finals later on, gold medallists will be crowned national champions and will automatically qualify for inclusion in the national team that will represent Botswana at Zone 6 Championships.