22 Aug 2018

Charles Masaiti has formed a chess club in Palapye to unearth talent.

The first ever chess club dubbed Rock and Roll Chess Masters has been established with offices near Napa Complex along the Palapye main road.

Club president, Masaiti said the main reason for the formation of the club was to increase young people’s participation in sports and to unearth talent.

He said he intends to motivate children and teach them to balance their academics and sports, and urged parents to encourage their children to join chess and other sporting codes, adding that sport had the potential to build a child’s character.

Masaiti said the club intends to recruit 1 000 members from Palapye and surrounding villages, targeting children and the youth.

In order to realise the goal, he said the club adopted Kediretswe Primary School and donated five chess sets, adding that the club also aimed to adopt Khurumela Primary School.

He said the club also intends to work with local communities and make a meaningful contribution in improving their livelihoods.

Through its motto: Chess beyond the chess board, the club president said they intend to sensitise residents about the values of chess and how it could transform people’s lives.

As a way of sensitising the public about chess, the club recently held a roadshow at the bus rank where they taught people how to play chess. They also encouraged them to register their children with the club.

Masaiti said attendance was impressive, adding that after the road show more children came to register with the club.

He said the club was placed at position nine in the Debswana-sponsored chess league and was currently preparing for the Botswana International Open Junior Individual Chess Championship to be co-hosted by Limitless Minds Chess Academy, Chess Motifs and Rock and Roll Chess Masters in Gaborone in November. Ends