21 Aug 2019

Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) president, Mothokomedi Thabano, intends to make Ghanzi a chess hub.

Speaking after schools’ chess championships in Ghanzi on August 18 Thabano said Ghanzi had potential to be the chess hub because several former national team players were residing in the area.

Women candidate master-Ontiretse Sabure, Fide trainer-Cinky Boikanyo, Bokamoso Simon, Kelebogile Selabe and Mabedi Mbo are among those staying in Ghanzi.

Thabano said chess was not just a sport, but an academic tool, advancing that there was a likelihood that chess players would perform better in academics.

He said if made part of school curriculum, chess would boost pupils’ academic performance because it was a game of logical thinking, critical thinking and problem solving.

He hailed 11-year-old Thuto Mpene of Letlhakeng Primary School, who is Africa schools’ champion and challenged others to emulate him.

“You are the future grandmasters and you should teach your colleagues how to play chess,” Thabano stated.

He indicated that BCF would send 12 players to the youth championships in Namibia in December.

“Some of those chess players are in our midst; we may send more, funds permitting,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Ghanzi North, Noah Salakae, stated that playing chess was way to go because it enhanced psychological resilience.

Salakae said in other countries, chess was part of schools’ curriculum and suggested that Botswana should find a way of integrating the game into its education menu.

“You have chosen the right path for your future career,” he said.

The legislator challenged chess players to strive to be the best.

The founder of Grace World Africa Foundation and former national team chess player, Namasiku Samunzala, said she wanted to grow chess and see many families playing the game.

For his part, Ghanzi chief education officer, Brown Sethapelo, expressed gratitude to the chess federation for considering to turn Ghanzi into a chess hub.

Sethapelo also praised Grace World Africa foundation for growing the game of chess, by donating chess sets.

He said the foundation should continue with its good cause, saying their efforts could make the likes of Mpene, whose rating stands at 1360 to go further and possibly unearth more talent.

Sethapelo said chess players should be zealous and aim for the stars; pointing out that the highest chess rating in the world was 2800.

“We can produce the world’s best chess players,” he said. Grace World Africa Foundation also donated 50 chess sets to Ghanzi region and five others to the area MP Salakae.

In the senior schools’ boys’ category, Thabang Philime from Francistown senior school won a gold medal, followed by school mate Desire Machinya and Bobeo Ndiane from Maun senior.

In the senior schools’ girls’ category, Loago Badisang emerged champion, Omphile Oteng was first runner up and Patience Mosetlheng came third.

Atang Masaka emerged champion in the junior school boys’ category and Rosinah Impala outdid the junior girls.

In the primary schools’ girls’ category Lorraine Nkhumisa took the first position and Thuto Mpene proved his mettle as he took the gold medal in the primary schools’ boys’ category. ENDS