Upbeat Judo calls for support amid heightened global ambitions

Botswana Judo Federation (BJF) is calling for a renewed, comprehensive approach to athlete development. This follows a strong showing by the national senior team at the recent Zambia Senior Championships, where eight judokas brought home five medals. The federation says the results signal not only technical progress but also the urgent need to expand athlete support systems beyond competition preparation. Speaking in an interview, BJF General Secretary Anastacia Linda Masingizane emphasised that Botswana’s judokas can reach their full international potential only if the country embraces a holistic model that centres on athlete welfare, not just competitive readiness. “We need an all-hands-on-deck approach to ensure athletes achieve maximum results,” Masingizane said. “This means going beyond competition tactics. We need psychosocial support, a medical doctor, a nutritionist, a counsellor, a psychologist, a safeguarding officer, and strong parental engagement. When athletes know their welfare is fully taken care of, they can truly maximise their potential.” Her comments come after Botswana secured one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals in Zambia. While slightly below the previous year’s tally, the federation says the team composition, including new and returning athletes, reflects a system steadily building depth. Zambia results show promise, but deeper investment still needed Head Coach Sensei William Matike said the championship, held in Lusaka, demonstrated that Botswana’s judo development framework is working. Standout performances included Tumiso Phuthego (-60kg), who secured gold for the second consecutive year, and the return of Botho Babutsi (-48kg), who earned a medal after resuming training with private sessions at the Botswana Defence Force, signalling her resilience and continued promise. “The competition is a testament to our athletes’ hard work,” Matike noted. “Last year we won one gold, two silver, and three bronze. This year’s one gold, one silver, and three bronze show that our new judokas also managed to medal. That means the training process is working.” He added that while the federation regularly receives technical, financial, and material support from BJF, BNSC, and BNOC, the impact would be far greater if such resources were provided earlier in the season. “In judo, we don’t prepare athletes for a single competition; we train for an entire season with specific goals,” he said. “Support would be more efficient if accessed earlier to build long-term preparation.” A federation re-orienting towards athlete welfare It is the third point in Botswana Judo’s internal reflection that is shaping the federation’s next strategic breakthrough: a major push to formalise and integrate emotional, mental, and physical welfare structures into national team operations. Masingizane stresses that Botswana cannot compete consistently on the world stage without adopting global best practices, where athlete support teams are standard, not optional. “We are working on building a complete support team for our athletes,” she said. “Competition is important, but so is ensuring that athletes feel supported as human beings. Their mental health, diet, recovery, and safety matter just as much as their throws and techniques.” She noted that Botswana’s growing pool of young judokas, from cadets to seniors, requires an environment recognising sport as a demanding, year-round endeavour. Parents, she added, must be part of this journey. Regional tournaments as stepping stones to global arenas The Zambia Senior Championships also served a dual purpose in Botswana’s wider development strategy. Beyond the senior medal haul, the federation arranged friendly matches for its cadet team (ages 15–17) with Zambia and Zimbabwe as they prepare for the African Youth Games, where Botswana will field two male and two female judokas. Masingizane described this as a “major milestone” in nurturing new athletes who must be gradually exposed to competitive tatami environments. The competition also served as crucial preparation for Botswana’s two senior international representatives heading to one of judo’s highest-ranking events. Abu Dhabi Grand Slam: Botswana steps onto the world stage Botswana Judo Federation confirmed that Tumiso Phuthego (-60kg) and Tresh Kgosietsile (-66kg) will compete at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam on 28 November, one of the premier stops on the IJF World Tour. The two athletes, guided by Sensei William, depart Botswana on 26 November. “These elite athletes will step onto the tatami ready to showcase Botswana’s strength, discipline, and fighting spirit,” Masingizane said. “We want the nation to stand behind them as they raise our flag at one of the biggest stages in world judo.” While proud of the team’s growth, Masingizane said Botswana Judo has reached a turning point: medals alone are not enough. The next frontier is building a robust athlete welfare ecosystem that enables consistency, longevity, and sustainable excellence. “Our vision is to advance our athletes for the international stage, and that requires more than talent. It requires total support. We are committed to building it, step by step.”

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