19 Aug 2014

The leader of Botswana Chess Federation (BCF), Tshenolo Maruatona has urged Botswana schools to take the game of chess seriously.

Speaking at the ceremony to hand over 35 chess sets and 60 books for the introduction to learning chess to four primary schools in Tswapong North on August 17, Maruatona said chess had proven to have a major role in helping students perform better in their studies. 

He said many researches have shown a strong link between chess and academic performance in a variety of areas including mathematics and language arts. 

He also said chess had been proven to enhance children’s motivation, focus, social skills and creativity. The chess equipment was donated by the former chess player, Moses Khutsafalo in collaboration with BCF. 

They were donated to Masupe, Maunatlala, Seolwane Primary Schools and Maunatlala Junior Secondary School. Maruatona pleaded with the schools especially the primary schools to support BCF in its endeavor to introduce chess at their schools as that could help to improve their academic results. 

He said BCF has seen it fit to support Khutsafalo’s initiative as it was in line with the federation’s mandate. 

Handing over the equipment, Khutsafalo said he did not have the opportunity to play chess when he was at a primary school and he wanted to afford the students a chance to start playing it whilst they are still young. 

He said he was hopeful that more children would join the game to benefit from it.

A teacher at Masupe Primary School Ms Dikeledi Stone thanked Khutsafalo for the donations.

He said her school is determined to take chess as one of their extra- curricular activities. ENDS