21 Nov 2013

All roads lead to Yarona Country Lodge this weekend for the National Development Bank (NDB) Nthuta Club Chess Championships hosted by Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) in partnership with NDB.

Head of branding, marketing and communications at NDB, Harry Marks said during the launch of the sponsorship that the bank saw it fit to align the tournament with one of their products, Nthuta School Fess loan to improve academic qualifications of students. NDB has sponsored the tournament with P57 000.

Marks said NDB had decided to associate itself with BCF because the sport code made great strides in the country and that the relationship between the two had improved for the past seven days.

Harry further explained that NDB had this year added a new element to the event by pledging to donate 100 chess sets to 20 primary schools around the country.

Speaking at the same event, Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng appealed to all sports codes to commercialise sport. “For sport to prosper, it should be commercialised and run like a business.”

He explained that BCF was privileged to have NDB’s support adding that the federation should promote the bank to be a brand leader in its relationship.

BCF president, Tshenolo Maruatona said the up-coming tournament was one of the most exciting and competitive chess events as it brings together strong chess players from different clubs across the country, who battles it out in the spirit of defending and demonstrating superiority of their clubs.

The championships would be open to all chess clubs in Botswana. Each club will be expected to field a total of six active players comprising of four main players of any gender, an under 20 player and a lady.

He said the new executive committee’s bigger dream was to have a league running by next year adding that primary school students would benefit from the tournament, even though they would not take part in this year’s tourney.

BCF public relations director, Keenese Katisenge said the sponsorship by NDB proves the commitment of the bank to the development of sport in the country. NDB has been the main sponsor of Chess club championships since 2006.

Meanwhile, the defending champion Mobile Chess Club has already made it clear that they intend to defend their title while other strong chess clubs like Poisonous Snakes Chess Club, Kings Chess Club and Bonyonyo Chess Club have also announced their intensions of taking away the crown from Mobile. The event will be graced by the representatives from NDB and BNSC. ENDS