22 Jul 2020

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development has applauded Botswana Chess Federation for adhering to COVID-19 protocols during this year’s Metropolitan National Championships held from July 18-21.

Tumiso Rakgare was speaking at the federation’s finals and prize giving ceremony on July 21.

The federation hosted the championships after sporting activities were suspended some three months ago following the outbreak of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that had hit not only Botswana but the whole world and continue to grapple with.

The competition, sponsored at a tune of P90 000, courtesy of Metropolitan Botswana, was staged without spectators in effort to adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

At the beginning of the competition, players were screened and wore face masks and all surfaces as well as chess boards and tables were sanitised after each game.

“COVID 19 is real and we have to manage it the best way possible. We should continue doing what is right to keep safe,” said Rakgare.

On the other hand, Rakgare thanked Metropolitan Botswana for their part in growing sport, adding having sponsored chess for the past 14 years was testimony of commitment to sport development and promotion in the country.

Rakgare highlighted that this year’s sponsorship was even special considering financial challenges most organisations were faced with due to COVID-19 pandemic.

He also commended the federation for taking advantage of technology to keep training during the pandemic as well as for its grassroots development programme, saying it was critical to start sport at a tender age.

Again, he said the ministry was committed to growing sport to another level.

Meanwhile, the tournament comprised 24 men and 18 women in the open and women’s categories, including defending champions in Women Candidate Master, Refilwe Gabatshwarwe and Fide Master Phemelo Khetho.

In the women’s category, 18-year-old Women Fide Master, Besa Masaiti emerged victorious walking away with P8 000, a gold medal and a trophy.

Women International Master Onkemetse Francis came second and won a silver medal and P6 000 while WCM Gabatshwarwe came third and pocketed P3 000 and a bronze medal.

Candidate Master Thuso Mosutha won the open category and walked away with P10 000, a trophy and a gold medal. In the second spot was Oratile Kgotlane who got a silver medal and P5 250 while Moemedi Machobane also walked away with P5 250 and a bronze medal for position three.

Kgotlane and Machobane had finished the competition tied in points hence the same prize money. The trio beat the defending champion, FM Khetho who finished seventh and got P1 060. Other participants walked away with P300 as consolation prizes.

First prize winners from both categories automatically joined the national team, which was launched on the same day.

The national team is set represent the country in the first virtual World Olympias 2020, which started yesterday and will end on August 30.

It comprises six players including two females, two males and two juniors from both categories. The reserve side is also made up of six players.

Ivon Makabe, national team coach was optimistic the team would perform well given the support from all stakeholders.

He said their first game would be on August 4 and that gave them ample time to prepare for the competition. ENDS