Local fencing continues to grow

 Botswana Amateur Fencing Association (BAFS) joined in the world fencing day celebrations in Gaborone this past weekend. The combat sport association has been in Botswana for a number of years but it only came to prominence during the 2014 African Youth Games. The popular Olympic sport has three different styles including foil, sabre and epee.

Nevertheless BAFS has recently been in the media for the wrong reasons following an internal rift within its committee. Despite several hiccups the association managed to send some players to Senegal for about a year to further sword-fighting skills. According to BAFS vice president Matla Basha, the association’s main objective was to take fencing to the public and also to create awareness.

“Batswana love the sport, we have financial challenges to spread the sport and train more people,” Basha said. Currently BAFS has only four athletes with approved international fencing federation attire for top competitions. Thabile Pilane, Karabo Thobega, Botlhe Tapologo and Aobakwe Modise benefitted garb from the 2014 African Youth Game hosted in Gaborone. The association has only three masters and one coach. The masters are Thobega, Modise, Sam Chape and Thato Mpoloka. BAFS grant from the Botswana National Sports Commission currently stands at P150 000.

Matla lamented that lack of funds force them to pull out of invitation tournaments outside the country. The sport of Fencing traces its origins to the development of swordsmanship for duels and self-defence. Meanwhile BAFS president Mandela Masuku recently survived a coup by disgruntled former president Gaolatwe Mudongo. The Masuku group was recently hit hard when the treasurer Gosego Nkwe resigned from his position.

It is not clear whether add member Bashi Lechaena still serves in the committee, Sun Sport is informed that he is yet to face disciplinary action after attending a meeting organised by the renegades. The committee comprises vice president Matla Basha, Secretary General Letlhogonolo Ramosesane, technical director Samuel Chape, and Treasurer Koketso Masena. BAFS will host their first annual TX fencing on Saturday at BOKA dojo.