Tshikare dumps Kofukan amid karate crisis

Internal squabbles continue to rip karate apart with the national team coach, Sensei George Tshikare resigning from the Botswana Kofukan Federation (BFK). Tshikare was suspended from the BFK for attending a Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) meeting called by the sport’s interim committee in October. BKF chairperson, Orchard Kgosieile then suspended Tshikare with immediate effect.

“It has come to the attention of the BKF executive committee that you have continued to engage in activities that are legally binding and detrimental to the wellbeing of the federation without being sent by the federation or at least informing the federation of your actions. You attended a meeting which you were advised not to attend by the chairman,” the letter reads.

Tshikare was accused of signing a letter calling for the removal of the then Tshepho Bathai-led committee. It is alleged Tshikare did not tell the federation about his decision.

“These actions indicate that you are acting of your own volition which disregards the unified interests of the federation. The actions are also not part of your mandate as BKF public relations officer,” the letter reads. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, Kgosieile said Tshikare and another BKF member, Kemmonye Seletamotse attended a Special General Meeting (SGM) without the authority of the federation. The SGM was called by affiliates at Cresta Lodge where a motion of no confidence was passed on the Bathai-led committee and an interim administration was put in place. “I believe that everything that a member does on behalf of the federation, we should be aware of it. As a senior person, we expected him to be aware of the implications of his actions. As a PRO, he did not have authority to act on behalf of BKF without my permission,” he said.

Kgosieile said Tshikare and Seletamotse were given a verbal warning after attending the SGM.

He explained that after that, Tshikare went on to sign a letter, which was viewed as an act of insubordination.

Regarding another BKF member, Bose Caiphus who was co-opted into the interim committee, Kgosieile said he did not sign any document on behalf of BKF and therefore was not liable. Meanwhile, after his suspension, Tshikare decided to resign from BKF.

“I appreciate the time and opportunities that were availed to me in my development from 1994 to 2022. It was not an easy decision for me to make but in life, we meet to part at some point. I will forever be thankful to BKF, especially Shihan Million Masumbika. He has been a father to me through all the years,” the resignation letter reads. Kgosieile said he was still in consultation with BKF seniors about Tshikare’s departure.

“Tshikare’s resignation will affect BKF because he has been a key member of this federation. However, big organisations and federations lose key personnel all the time. It is how we react after such a loss that defines us. Several federations are BKF breakaways and that is what makes us who we are today,” Kgosieile said.

When asked about the BOKA’s state of affairs, Kgosieile said they feel the instability within the mother body and that could be the reason behind Tshikare’s departure.

For his part, Tshikare told Mmegi Sport that he was sacrificed because he was a ‘thorn in the flesh’ of the BKF leadership. “Those people were captured by Bathai and I had to find my way out.

I decided to jump ship before things escalated. I cannot stick around people who no longer shared the same principles as me.

I am currently navigating which federation I can affiliate to,” he said. Tshikare, who is a sixth Dan black belt, said he was disappointed that none of the BKF leaders had spoken to him, particularly Masumbika.

“Masumbika has been communicating with other members informing them to remove me from all BKF social media groups. He was the first person to remove me from BKF seniors group and posted my suspension letter. He even instructed Kofukan International to do the same,” he said. Tshikare said as a leader, he expected Masumbika to have given him his side of the story. Reacting to the resignation, Masumbika said when Tshikare decided to resign it meant it has been part of his plan. “When you have a child and you reprieve them, there will be a time when you cannot do that anymore. I have groomed Tshikare to be what he is today and if he feels it’s time for him to go, I cannot stop him. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” he said.