Africa-Press – Botswana. Belligerent members of Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) who undermine the authority of the Karate governing body and violate the constitution and code of conduct will face the music.
In an exclusive interview following the expulsion of two members of BOKA, Shukokai Shito-Ryu and Kofukan Federation of Botswana, the association’s president Shihan Mpho Bakwadi admitted that karate had been rocked by squabbles due to dissident elements within their structures.
The association has been experiencing a turbulent period with bitter internal strives seen as being the centre of the rot. Factional divisions, leadership squabbles and embezzlement of funds were fingered as some of the challenges that bedevilled the sport.
“Going forward those who compromise the integrity of karate, those who bring it into disrepute will be dealt with. We have to bring karate back to its roots. We are in that drive to apologise to the public about this rot, make our stakeholders comfortable and make an assurance that karate is back and in good hands,” said Bakwadi.
Bakwadi said the decision to expel the two members was taken after a majority vote of a special general meeting convened last weekend in Gaborone.
The two expelled members had voted out the Bakwadi led committee through a motion of no confidence passed by Botswana Kofukan and seconded by Shukokai.
BOKA had earlier warned that those who would attend any unauthorised meeting would face suspension or even expulsion.
Nonetheless a special meeting was convened attended by five federations namely Kofukan, Goju-Kai, Karate Nomichi, Shukokai and Ryushin-Kan.
The five members had, in January submitted a petition to BOKA raising a number of alleged anomalies at the association among them violation of the constitution, lack of financial transparency and unlawful appointment and non-compliance with constitutional procedure.
High Court ruled that the meeting was illegal and any decision taken there was not recognised. Bakwadi explained that amongst other serious breaches the two members collaborated with individuals and organisations outside BOKA to unlawfully overthrow the legitimate executive of BOKA.
He said the expelled members approached the registrar of societies under false pretences claiming to be the legitimate executive of BOKA and also convened and attended unauthorized and unlawful meetings.
Bakwadi said these actions were seen as constituting gross misconduct and undermining authority hence the expulsion was finalised and binding.
He said in 2023 his committee was voted into office after serving on an interim basis for some time replacing the Sensei Tshepo Bathai led committee which was ousted by a motion of no confidence.
Bakwadi said following the leadership coups that had become a common feature at BOKA his first assignment was to clean up the mess and deal with the debt which was in excess of P1million.
“We spent the whole of 2023 clearing debt through our subvention funding because we owed hotels and travel agencies amongst others. But after that we were able to take part in regional and continental championships such as zone VI in Zimbabwe where we did well. We took part in Africa Games in Accra and our ladies’ kata team qualified for the world championships in Pamplona,” he added.
BOKA was then embroiled in court battles as the Bathai-led committee comprising of Bathai as president, Sam Dire as Vice president administration, Karabo Samuel (secretary general) and David Hubona (VP technical) took BOKA to court contesting their ousting from the karate office. They later withdrew the case. Kofukan and Shukokai joined forces with the concerned group some expelled from BOKA and the High Court dismissed the case.
High Court ruled that the sensei Koorapetse Mogopodi led interim committee was unlawful and illegal.
BOKA then convened a meeting to expel the two on grounds of collaborating with members outside BOKA.
“We made it clear that you can’t remove a constitutionally elected executive illegally. We are known for being an ancient discipline with integrity. We have engaged Botswana National Sport Commission, Botswana National Olympic Committee and the ministry of sport and we are now part of the Africa Union Sport Council Region 5,” he said.
Bakwadi reiterated that restoring the dignity of BOKA was top of his agenda and pledged working extensively with relevant stakeholders to further advance development of karate.
He applauded BOKA’s partners for all their efforts in bringing sanity to its leadership and said it was a privilege to work with willing partners for the growth of the sport.
Bakwadi who is now the current president of the karate association was recently appointed as the second vice president of the Commonwealth Karate Africa Association (CKAF) a position he said would allow him a chance to set ambition goals to elevate the local sport to greater and new heights.
The CKAF appointment mandates Bakwadi to coordinate activities of the association in the Southern African region, support the association’s president in furthering the sport’s development.
He expressed immense gratitude to the appointment and said global partners were acknowledging his good leadership qualities.
Bakwadi took over Bathai and were expected to ensure full participation of affiliates following the mess that destabilized the association over the years.
He brings with him a full set of an executive committee charged with ensuring that he passes the litmus test. Bakwadi is assertive that ertenal peace would soon prevail despite the dark veil that befell the sport over the past decade.
Bathai who was initially removed from office in 2014 through another motion of no confidence returned to the karate top seat in 2017 after taking over from prominent sport administrator sensei David Mathe.
Sensei Mathe was in office for a two-year term and survived a motion of no confidence. He withdrew from the race for presidency in 2017 when Bathai took over.
Sensei Abel Mbaakanyi became president of BOKA from its infancy until Sensei Jeff Tembo, considered the longest serving BOKA president took over succeeding Mbaakanyi. Ookeditse Malesu, Gift Nkwe and Million Masumbika also took up office as BOKA presidents.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
