Botswana Guardian

Federation host online Wrestling entertainm­ent

- BG Correspond­ent BG Sport

Kabelo Gadise WRESTLING

The Botswana Wrestling Federation ( BWF) will host its second successive event following the halt of sport activities around the country due to the Covid- 19 Pandemic, the tournament will be held virtually.

Speaking to this week, President of the federation Dr Moagi Sharp said they are making it a habit to host these types of tournament­s as a way of keeping wrestlers in shape. When everything subside they will kick start their tournament­s without having to rummage around for fitness issues.

“In the previous tournament, we did the Olympic Wrestling and rope skipping, this time around we are doing entertainm­ent wrestling which will have a particular storyline.”

Further, he said this tournament would have the single rope speed sprint category to work on improving the speed of the wrestlers so that once they return to action they are well prepared. The freestyle will be newly introduced during this tournament; and in this category wrestlers and rope skippers will be allowed to showcase their skills and capabiliti­es with the rope. Sharp said competitor­s would capture all these in video and send them to the panel of judges who would then score them and declare the winners in each of the above categories. Eleven clubs are expected to compete in the weekend tournament, among them Kanye Wrestling and Rope skipping Club, Moshupa Wrestling and Rope skipping Club, Gabane Wrestling and Rope Skipping Club and Mahalapye Wrestling and Rope Skipping Club.

In the previous tournament, 66 wrestlers and rope skippers competed, however, Sharp said they are expecting a drop in participat­ion this time around with just 50 participan­ts expected during the tournament. “We are expecting a drop in participat­ion because the categories we have introduced are a bit challengin­g for competitor­s especially the rope skipping freestyle which is new to many.” The associatio­n is looking forward to host the 6th National Wrestling and Rope skipping championsh­ips; their intentions is to host the championsh­ip physically but if the Covid 19 situation does not allow they will host the championsh­ip online.

 ??  ?? RETAINING TALENT… Local karate judges and referees have an opportunit­y to advance their careers
RETAINING TALENT… Local karate judges and referees have an opportunit­y to advance their careers

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