29 Jun 2016

Enpassent Chess Club &Academy hosted 1st edition of Kgatleng Youth chess tournament in Mochudi recently.

Students from different schools in Mochudi came in large numbers to the tournament and the tournament was categorised in groups according to their ages which comprises of under 7, under 9, under 11, under 13 and under 15 category.

Larona Mokubung from the under 9 category who is also a student at Seingwaeng primary school snatched position one in the tournament winning with six points out of seven rounds.

Other students who came behind Mokubung were Thabang Magowe, Bakhau Bhahanani, Anele Mapoto and Thuso Motingwa with 5.5 points both of them.

All the participants were awarded some certificates while the winners went away with certificates, medals, trophies and a chess set. Mr Alex Mpuisang from chess federation who graced the tournament encouraged students to participate in chess games noting that chess is one of the interesting games which will assist them in calculations even at school.

“Chess does not guarantee age like other games, even a kid at the young age can play it,i remember when I was in Brazil I saw kids at the age of five playing chess, so I want this also to happen here in our country “said Mpuisang.

He also encouraged parents who attended the tournament to support their children and he promised them that they will also select the students who have done well to the next level for trials.

In an interview with Bopa, one of the organisers from Enpassent chess club & Academy Lesego Selemogwe said it is the first time to host such tournament in Kgatleng region adding that their main aim is to nurture talent in chess at a tender age.

He said they are planning to host another tournament in Kgatleng region, noting that it will be held in one of the surrounding villages of the district so that they can also give other students chance from other villages who have not participated in the first tournament.

Selemogwe applauded parents and teachers who came to support the participants adding that this shows them that indeed chess is growing in Botswana.

When giving words of encouragement one of the national players Thabo Gumpo said it is not easy at first when learning chess adding that it needs passion and perseverance.

He said he started playing chess when he was doing standard 7 and till that he won nothing until he was doing form two.

“So I encourage you that you should not give up, just keep on playing until you reach your goal”, noted Gumpo. Ends