Fencing Master Aobakwe Modise is well set to slug it out with the best of the best at the upcoming FIE World championships slated for Wuxi sports centre indoor stadium in China from 19th to 27th July. Modise has been outstanding in the domestic fencing arena, scooping Gold in all domestic competitions. She will represent Botswana in the women’s epee weapon competition.
To prepare her for the world stage, South African Olympian Master Sello Madume has been roped in to train the athlete and is expected to jet-in the country this week. Madume is an experienced gaffer and his expertise will be invaluable to Modise. In an interview with The Telegraph, BAFS Technical Director, Sam Condor Chape said they believe Modise will perform to her best and make the nation proud. He said they are aware of the stiff competition ahead and have not put pressure on the athlete.
‘’Modise will battle with the best in the World and it is only her second international competition. We are not putting any weight on her for a podium position but we believe she will gain necessary exposure and might as well pull the strings and bring something home,” Chape told The Telegraph.
He said they are excited that gaffer Madume will be assisting with the preparations of the athlete. ‘’It is encouraging to have an experienced Madume as part of the preparations. He is experienced and has been coaching in Bangladesh and we hope he will sow his knowledge with local fencers for the sake of growth and continuity of the game,” said Chape.
For his part, BAFS President Mandla Masuku said they had wished to send more athletes at the games but failed due to lack of funds. ‘’This time we decided to send a female athlete as BAFS gives both genders equal opportunities to represent country. We could have at least sent a team of two but we were challenged by lack of funds. The World fencing mother body assisted with only a single ticket for an athlete to the championships and we had no choice,” he said.
