12 Oct 2015

Botswana amassed 12 gold medals after outclassing Zimbabwe in the international chess challenge in Tlokweng over the weekend.

The open individual competition was organised by Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) to give players aged between seven and 17 years, who never had an opportunity to play for the youth national teams, a chance to play in an international competition. 

It also acted as a talent identification platform, according to BCF public relations director Keenese Katisenge.

A total of 132 players from Botswana and Zimbabwe competed in the seven rounds tournament, which had six age categories ranging from under seven to under 17. 

Botswana swept the stakes by winning gold medals in all the age categories with Abhiram Sasitharan and Refilwe Bua respectively emerging as boys and girls champions of the under 17 category.

Botswana also won gold medals in the under 15 category through Thabo Elias (boys) and Sri Kareri (girls), as well as the under 13 category through Marape Marape Jnr (boys) and Besa Masaiti (girls).

Martin Megnaj scooped gold medal in the Under 11 boys category and Ketshepile Otisitswe got gold in the under 11 girls category.

Other gold medalists were Sriram Srihari (boys under nine), women candidate master Naledi Marape (girls under nine), Sadhana Arnap (boys under seven) and Naga Hasitha (girls under seven). 

Besides gold medals the hosts also scooped every silver medal in all the categories as well as 11 bronze medals. 

Zimbabwe won one bronze medal only. 

Tournament arbiter Vincent Masole said he was impressed with the turn up and standard of competition from the players. 

“The tournament was a big success. We had initially expected 50 but ended up having 132 players attending the tournament. The standard of play was pleasing as well,” he said. 

Zimbabwe coach Suzette Nyikadzino explained that they decided to take part in the competition because they viewed it as a good initiative aimed at developing chess in Southern Africa.

Besides medals and chess boards for the winners, players were also given certificates of participation, and certificates of achievement. Ends