Nelson Direng
2 July 2009
Zambia and Angola are the only countries that are still to confirm their participation at the eighth annual Zone VI championships to be held at Ditshupo Hall on Saturday. The tournament, which was to be hosted by Angola, was moved to Botswana because Angola is preparing to host the Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament in 2010.
Botswana Karate Association (BKA) president, Gift Nkwe, told a press conference in Gaborone on Monday that it was unclear why both Angola and Zambia had not confirmed their participation. He said a possibility of financial constraints, due to the global economic downturn might be the reason behind the two teams' reluctance to participate.
Nkwe however, expressed optimism that they would confirm their participation before the end of the week. "If by any chance they fail to pitch up, the tournament will go on without them," he said.
Nkwe said there would be no punitive action taken against countries that withdraw from the tournament. He said the aim of the tournament is to improve and grow the sport in the region. "The tournament helps build individual players for international tournaments as it gives them exposure," he said.
The BKA boss said it would be good to see more African countries participate in the tournament that started in 1991 and took place in Harare. Only Botswana and Zimbabwe competed that year. It has since grown to attract ten members, with South Africa joining in 1992 while Lesotho and Swaziland are expected to participate this year for the first time. Nkwe said that even though Lesotho and Swaziland are still new in the tournament, their progress is promising.
Botswana will be fielding two players in the twelve kata and twelve kumite categories.
The senior teams' kata and kumite are open to karatekas from 16 years and above whilst the junior teams' kata is open to children from the ages of 14 to 17.
Meanwhile, a referees' course will be held at the University of Botswana (UB) hall on Friday prior to the start of the tournament. The referees will be examined during the tournament and those that succeed will be given a chance to officiate at the world karate championships.
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