01 Dec 2016

Dikakapa Chess Club is determined to unearth talent in Otse and surrounding villages.

The Otse-based club has not been operating for almost six years due to the founders moving out of Otse.

Speaking in an interview, the acting president of the club, Keabetswe Serei, said their target group was primary school going pupils because at that level, they played competitively as their minds were still sharp but however he was quick to say that other age groups were invited to join.

According to Serei, they had realised that there were gifted chess players in the village and the surrounding who did not have platform compete especially after school.

He said that even though the turn up was still unsatisfactory they would do their best to ensure that the club was thriving once again.

Serei said playing chess was advantageous in that it improved the thinking capability of individuals and encouraged parents to bring their children for registration to train freely.

He further said the club was doing well before it closed because they once took part in the Botswana Chess League  in 2004-2005 and they often sent players to tournaments such as the Jwaneng open chess championship, Stanbic Bank National Championship and year opener chess open championship.

According to Serei shortage of facilities, lack of funds, and transport as well as lack of support were major problems they were currently facing.

He stated that currently they only receive support from Baratani Primary School management because they have been offered a classroom to operate from.

Serei further said Dikakapa Chess club was founded in 2002 by him, Moilwa Seiso as well as Gaone Ngamolane after completing form five from Moeding College and the club was registered under societies in 2005 and that time they were all staying in Otse.ENDS