25 Jul 2021

International arbiter, organiser and national instructor, Vincent Masole is one of the first FIDE Certified Online hybrid tournaments trained arbiters in the world and the first in the country.

In an interview on Friday, Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) public relations officer and presidential candidate in the upcoming elective congress, Kutlwano Tatolo, said they received an invitation from FIDE Arbiters Commission to send people  for the course.

She indicated that BCF communicated with their members to show interest in partaking in the training, adding that among those who applied, Masole emerged the most qualified.

“Considering his portfolio, experience and title, he became the highest preferred official to attend the course on our behalf,” she said.

Due to financial constraints, she said BCF only managed to send one official for training, choosing the best possible candidate from those who had shown interest.

She explained that having a local official as one of the first FIDE Certified Online hybrid tournaments trained arbiters had positioned Botswana in the world map. “BCF will now be recognised worldwide,” she said.

Tatolo said the achievement would benefit the country because Botswana would now be able to host FIDE Certified Online hybrid events, adding that BCF could also send Masole to officiate at continental and world level.

She explained that BCF also benefitted since they could host online events where prizes would be awarded because they now had a certified official who would ensure fairness. “We would now be certain through his expertise people were winning prizes legitimately,” she added.

Tatolo indicated that BCF was happy that their investment had paid out. “His achievement would benefit him, the chess community and the country at large,” she said.

Communication from BCF stated that this was an achievement for the country especially during COVID-19 times where hybrid events had become a necessity.

Meanwhile, BCF Annual General Meeting would be held July 31 in Gaborone. ENDS