University of Botswana Hosts 3rd Edition of Taekwondo Open Championship
The University of Botswana (UB) recently held its 3rd edition of the Taekwondo Open Championship at the UB Campus Indoor Sports Centre. The championship which attracted participants from Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique to showcase the martial arts skills, was launched by the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture, Mr Tumiso Rakgare.
In his address, Minister Rakgare highlighted the significance of Taekwondo, describing it as “one of the most systematic and scientific Korean traditional martial arts that teaches discipline.” He highlighted how training in Taekwondo improved both body intelligence and mental acuity.
The Minister also noted the global recognition of Taekwondo especially as an Olympic sport and expressed the Government's commitment to supporting the sport through initiatives such as the Memorandum of Agreement signed with South Korea in 2015 which facilitated the formation of the UB Taekwondo Club.
UB Director of the Department of Sports, Culture and Recreation, Dr Comfort Mokgothu, echoed the Minister’s sentiments in his welcome remarks. Dr Mokgothu underscored the importance of the young participants, stating, “These young athletes are key to promoting fair play, equal opportunities, volunteering and education through sports, as fostered by the Botswana Taekwondo Federation.” He concluded by emphasizing the role of martial arts in uniting cultures and promoting mental discipline.
The championship not only demonstrated competitive spirit but also fostered friendship and cultural exchange among the participating countries. Athletes competed across various categories, showcasing their skills, discipline and commitment to the sport.
Botswana's Taekwondo clubs excelled, collectively winning six trophies in various divisions while Mozambique secured two trophies and a Best Coach award for Mr Frederico Muianga. In the overall standings, Mighty Taekwondo Club of Botswana took first place, followed by Saints & Angels Club in second, and Um Yang Won Da Matola club from Mozambique in third.
The launch was well-attended, with notable figures including Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNOC), Mr Tuelo Serufho and various partners.
The championship serves as a platform not only for competition but also for strengthening ties between neighboring countries, underlining the importance of sports in fostering cultural diplomacy.