13 Feb 2014

Metropolitan Botswana has increased sponsorship for the chess championships from last year’s P80 000 to P108 750. The company has sponsored the championships since 2006.

During the unveiling of the new sponsorship in Tlokweng on February 11. the president of Botswana Chess Federation, Tshenolo Maruatona said the tournament had grown much in the last eight years. “Chess has not only grown in terms of sponsorship but our players have developed strength as well” he said.

He said BCF had been on a mandate to cascade chess at primary schools. He said the young talent would be used at the national team in the future. He added they had decided to provide Our Lady of the Desert Primary School in Francistown with a giant chess set. He said the giant set would excite the children and develop their interest in chess.

Chairperson of Botswana National Sports Council, Solly Reikeletseng commended Botswana Chess Federation for being a true testimony that chess was indeed a sport.

He said the eight-year partnership between BCF and Metropolitan was noteworthy because it was not easy to keep a sponsor year after year. He also applauded Metropolitan Botswana for their continued effort in developing chess.

He said champions were developed and discovered at primary level where there were little resources. He added that BCF should continue on their mandate because the children at primary schools would one day make the national team.

The acting managing director of Metropolitan Botswana Fredrick Augustyn said they were proud to be associated with chess. “Chess is the only game where people can combine their academic abilities and their skills in the game. It involves a lot of problem solving skills and critical thinking” he said.

He said their wish was to see the national team winning medals at the Olympiad in Norway, Tromso in August 2014. The Metropolitan Chess championship was the biggest event in the Botswana Chess Calendar and was expected to attract more players this year.

There would be an open tournament where every chess player would be given a chance to play and earn a place in the national team. The champion from the open section will pocket P8 500 while the ladies section winner will walk away with P5 500.

Both champions will automatically qualify for the national team. The first round of the tournament begins this weekend in Gaborone. ENDS