PRISIONS KARATE CLUB RISES
Prisions Karate Club, which disappeared into thin air back in 1999 has recently, 20 years later, come out of hibernation with a bang. The club rose to the occasion this year after it was reestablished since its demise in 1999, the club participated in the Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) Championship last month, dominating some of the household names like SSKB Karate Club and Police in the male team kumite.
It sprung back to life with the initiation of Batlaareng Shabane, who is the instructor at the club. “It was very hard to convince the authority that I can solely bring back the club to live since I was the new kid on the block,” Shabane said in an interview this week. The Club is backed by the Botswana Prisons and has numerous set goals as articulated by Shabane. “Firstly, I wanted to pass on the skills to a younger generation. I felt that there was talent to be cultivated from around prisons as well as promoting the organization (prisons) since it wasn’t active.”
Speaking on their recent claim to superiority within a few months, Shabane said the number one secret is believing in the talent that’s around you.”
Our only commitment is nurturing the talent and am so happy that we are seeing the results sooner than expected.”
Sensei Shabane is the Africa Bronze medalist 2019, Region 5 double Gold medalist 2019 and was part of Botswana Karate national team in 2019. With the support of Central Prisons staff he is more destined for greater success
Athletes that make part of Prisons Karate so far are Katlego Boyase, Laone Msindo, Yaone Gokatweng and Omaatla Moremedi just to name a few and majority of them are beginners.
However, within every story there are challenges.
“Our main challenges are shortage of karate equipment and support from other stakeholders, as a club, we do the best we can to stay focused on our goals by making sure we utilize the few available resources. We try not to make excuses as a club.”
Shabene further added that they remain focused on their goals and will continue to thrive and have several athletes in the national team.
“We are proud of our efforts as a club and it shows that we are on the right track. It is to be noted that we are grateful to have competed with such big and established clubs.”