07 Dec 2025

The Botswana Chess Federation national youth team is in Zimbabwe for the 16^th edition of African Youth Chess Championship, which started on December 6 until 14.

The team will compete in the Under-8 category, which has Saishanvi Reddy Nalamalpu, Morena Mokefane and Rhea Lekoape.

In the under-10 category, the team has Ngwao Keoletile, Cherillath Kandamangalam, Atang Amen Fidzani, Paul Peloentle-Bayani, Rethabile Pitso whereas Onthatile Maruatona, Abrar Quadsia Toor and Karla Makgabana make up the Under-12 team.

 Adeola Moshoboro, Eesha Reddy Nalamalpu, Omaatla Mogwere, Keaboka Cleo Rankwane, Gouthum Babu Suresh and Wu Zeyin will represent the nation in the under-14 category whereas in the under-16 there is Laone Moshoboro and Noor Fatima Toor. Natalie Banda, Romeo Oabile and Darius Banda will represent Botswana in the under-18 category.

In an interview, the federation’s public relations officer, Goitsemodimo Makgatle said the team, which is under the tutelage of Vincent Masole and Pudungwane Lesole, would compete against Africa’s best chess players, with the hope of winning medals and attaining international ratings while gaining valuable experience for future championships.

Prior to their departure on Friday, she said the federation hosted a high-performance training camp for the team in Gaborone.

She said the programme focused on three key areas of competitive excellence such as calculation and defensive, systems of thinking in chess as well as practical game application.

The camp, she said, also emphasised discipline, focus and teamwork, which were the qualities of essential for success both on and off the chess board. ENDS