Karate, A Ghost Association

The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, through the Department of Civil and National Registration, has confirmed that the Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) is currently not recognised as a registered society under the Societies Act.In a letter dated September 2, 2025, addressed to Boitumelo Koone and Keorapetse Mogopodi, the Registrar of Societies stated that: “Botswana Karate Association have not complied with conditions of section 32 of the Societies Act No. 6 of 2022.”The correspondence, signed by E. Gabotswegope on behalf of the Registrar of Societies, added that the association will not be recognised for any of its activities until it has been issued with a new certificate.The letter comes amid growing divisions within the karate fraternity.In an interview this week, Koone accused the committee led by President Mpho Bakwadi of unfair treatment towards certain karate styles, claiming that the leadership has created a biased environment that restricts affiliates’ freedom.She further alleged that some athletes from the University of Botswana were threatened with expulsion for participating in the Kufikan in partnership with Women Self Defense Organization, an anti-gender-based violence tournament, instead of attending the Gaborone Open Tournament hosted by Ofentse Bakwadi.Concerns have also been raised about conflict of interest involving Chaena Metsu, the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) sports development officer for BOKA, who reportedly endorsed and marketed the Gabs Open tournament and does little to promote other events hosted by affiliates through the association.Koone and others allege that scholarships and opportunities such as the Zebra Elite Scholarship have been unfairly awarded, favouring athletes from the Hayashi and Mabuni styles.The tension follows a Special General Meeting (SGM) held by five federations — Kofukan, Goju-Kai, Karate Nomichi, Shito-Ryu Shukokai Union and Ryushin-Kan, which passed a motion of no confidence against the Bakwadi-led committee. The meeting elected an interim executive committee led by Keorapetse Mogopodi as President, with Boitumelo Koone serving as Secretary General.The Bakwadi led leadership dismissed the SGM as illegal, stating that decisions taken there were not binding. Ahead of the meeting, BOKA had warned that federations attending would face suspension or expulsion.In April this year, the court ruled that the move to oust the Bakwadi led executive was unlawful, declaring the appointment of the interim committee illegal.In February, before the court’s ruling, BOKA had announced its intention to discipline the Botswana Shito-Ryu Shukokai Union Federation and the Botswana Kofukan Federation for allegedly collaborating with non-BOKA members to undermine the leadership. The executive accused the federations of engaging with the media in ways that brought BOKA and the sport into disrepute.Koone says the court ruling has not deterred their efforts to oust Bakwadi, and the letter from the Register of Societies adds new perspective in the current power struggle.Contacted for comment on the latest developments, BOKA President Mpho Bakwadi dismissed his critics, saying those claiming to represent the association are not recognised members. However, hedid not come out clear if indeed BOKA has been deregistered or not.“He is not a BOKA member, so that is why I do not entertain expelled characters. It seems like you media guys entertain them for what I do not know,” Bakwadi said.“Karate is at peace and flourishing without them.”He further warned against attempts to distort facts about the association’s standing and progress.“We are aware of recent attempts by certain individuals to spread false and misleading information regarding the Association’s status and operations,” Bakwadi added.“It is unfortunate that some individuals continue to misrepresent facts and tarnish the image of karate. Such behaviour is irresponsible and divisive, and we will not allow it to distract us from our mandate of developing and promoting karate across the nation.”With the Registrar’s latest correspondence declaring BOKA non-compliant, the future of the association remains uncertain. Stakeholders are now waiting to see whether the leadership will act to regularize the association’s legal standing or face further administrative action.

Explore

More

Sports

Karate, A Ghost Association