Established in March this year, the Kickboxing Organisation of South Africa (KOSA) will host the inaugural 2023 East Coast Elephant Open at Fountains Mall, Jeffreys Bay on October 14, where kickboxing clubs from various towns in the Eastern Cape are expected to participate.
According to sensei Gerhard Coetzee, Eastern Cape KOSA representative, KOSA, was established as a national body in the country focusing on kickboxing and its various modes of competition.
He said that the organisation is affiliated with Martial Arts South Africa (MASA) nationally, World Kickboxing Association (WKA), and World Kickboxing Federation (WKF) internationally.
“KOSA’s aim was to create a platform for citizens in South Africa to practice and compete in kickboxing in a wholesome, structured, fun, safe, and family-friendly environment,” said Coetzee.
“KOSA’s main focus is the development, growth, and promotion of kickboxing in South Africa.”
Coetzee said that KOSA’s membership is open to anyone, irrespective of creed, race, or religion.
He said that KOSA constantly receives membership affiliation applications that get reviewed for membership approval.
Coetzee further said that all KOSA members throughout South Africa can participate in the East Coast Elephant Open on October 14, which is expected to be an annual event in the Kouga region on the KOSA calendar.
He said that kickboxing in the Kouga region has been very active and is well supported by various clubs, like Raptors MMA, Fusion MMA, Xia Long MMA, and 360° MMA.
“At this stage, there will be clubs attending the event from Cape Town, West Coast, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, and Nelson Mandela Bay, and it is expected that more regions might attend as well,” said Coetzee.
He said that the event on October 14 would not be the only KOSA kickboxing event annually in the Eastern Cape as many more inter-club tournaments and fight night events are planned to take place.
Coetzee said that there has been a huge drive to grow and promote kickboxing all along the coastal regions of South Africa, and the Eastern Cape has the potential to become one of the strongest kickboxing regions in the country.
“Kickboxing should be within reach of all our communities and the importance of it to instil discipline in our youth to become our region and country’s future leaders,” said Coetzee.
He said that once the inaugural East Coast Elephant Open has been completed on October 14, they would be looking forward to the Gauteng Golden Lion Open which will be taking place on October 21.
As part of the East Coast Elephant Open which will take place from 08:00 to 17:00 at Fountains Mall, he said that they will have the following modes within tatami which will be semi-contact, light contact, and low kick light.
In addition to this, within ring sport they will have full contact, low kick and K1.
