Karate coup complete as committee surrenders
The fall from grace of the Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) executive committee is complete. The two remaining members of the ousted committee officially surrendered this week as they handed over BOKA business to the interim administration. David Hubona (vice president-technical) and Sam Dire (vice president-administration) did the handover through social media. BOKA interim public relations officer, Keorapetse Dube said secretary-general, Karabo Samuel has not handed over because he is on suspension while Tshepho Bathai and Kutlwano Mukokomani resigned. Dube said Hubona and Dire have done an informal handover through WhatsApp.
“BOKA constitution does not define how a handover should be done and we cannot say whether they have handed over or not. We have an office where the handover should have been done but they will be reminded to do that. They must now show us the BOKA inventory. They are no longer office bearers and we expect them to orientate us,” he said. BOKA interim president, Mpho Bakwadi said despite the handover, there are still pending issues, which the previous committee should account for.
Hubona confirmed the handover to Mmegi Sport. He said the committee that he was part of called an elective Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) but the federations did not submit delegates for the meeting.
“It was clear to us what the federations preferred. So I have informed Bakwadi and that is it. I have returned to my dojo. I have differences of opinion with the interim committee but I will not interfere with their mandate, which I
am not privy to anyway,” Hubona said.
This publication is in possession of a handover message that Dire sent to Bakwadi. Through the message, he said that they decided to hand it over after the OGM was cancelled due to low number of delegates.
“Honestly, I am at pains to hand over the office in this manner because it is unprofessional but since it is how you prefer to conduct it, all is well. To have a proper handover, we have to engage in a formal sitting so that you get enough information from your predecessor. This mafia style of taking office does not go well with me especially done by highly ranked karatekas like yourself and Sensei Union Kgafela,” Dire said. He warned that there is rot within BOKA structures from management down to athletes. Dire said if that is left unattended, BOKA would be rotten to the core in a short space of time.
“BOKA owes a catering company in Jwaneng a staggering amount of over P9,000.
They catered during the strategy workshop conducted by Steady Basupang. (Sport Development Officer). China Metswi has all the documents,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare said he was aware of the situation at BOKA but the Botswana National Sport Commission was handling the matter.
“I want to commend the karate community for what they did. They have the right to do what they want with their leadership. If they found it necessary to go the route that they did, it is democracy. What is important is to keep their house in order,” he told Mmegi Sport.
Rakgare said sport could not attract sponsors if they continue to behave in a bad manner. He said sport is dealing with a thin business community and whatever happens, they hear about the issues and that chases away potential sponsors.