09 Jul 2026

The Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) will host the 2026 BetXplosion National Chess Championship from July 17-21 at Livingstone Kolobeng College in Gaborone, an event that doubles as the official selection tournament for the national chess team.

That follows a recent major financial boost of P160,000 for the federation by BetXplosion, a citizen-owned company licensed by the Botswana Gambling Authority, to sponsor the event and in turn end years of financial uncertainty. 

Welcoming guests at the launch recently, BCF president, Kutlwano Tatolo said the sponsorship was a milestone for the federation, which had continued to struggle to secure corporate backing.  Though the current executive committee has been in office for less than a year, Tatolo admitted that the journey to finding a sponsor was filled with uncertainty and countless sleepless nights. 

She indicated that after the Easter holidays passed without the annual championship taking place, the federation faced mounting pressure and questions from the media and stakeholders about whether the tournament would be held.

Ultimately, Tatolo emphasised that the partnership represented far more than just financial assistance. 

“This is not just about hosting a tournament. It is the beginning of a long-term relationship that will help build a sustainable future for Botswana chess,” she said.  She also encouraged leaders of other sporting codes facing financial challenges to seek partnerships rather than struggle in silence.

BetXplosion chief executive officer, Peter Kgomotso said the sponsorship was the beginning of a new era for chess in the country. 

He said conversations with parents of young chess champions exposed the sacrifices families continued to make in supporting talented players despite limited resources. 

“They shared their journey and the challenges they have endured while nurturing children who now represent Botswana internationally. 

As a parent, it is difficult not to be moved by such commitment and brilliance,” he said.

Kgomotso explained that before committing to the sponsorship, BetXplosion engaged both former and current BCF leadership to understand the federation’s long-term vision. 

He said the company wanted to assist in accelerating the federation’s growth by easing the financial burden it had carried for years. 

“We want to shoulder part of that burden so that administrators and players can focus on reaching their full potential,” he said.

Kgomotso noted that corporate Botswana had an important responsibility to invest in communities, particularly at a time when government resources remained constrained. He said businesses should demonstrate commitment to national development rather than simply generating profits. 

“BetXplosion wants to lead by example by investing in the people who make our products and our communities stronger. Investing in young people is investing in Botswana’s future,” he said.  He added that the sponsorship would not only support the upcoming championship but also help to nurture young talent and create opportunities for players to pursue chess as a viable career.

Kgomotso questioned why athletes in many other sporting codes were able to earn sustainable incomes while chess players continued to struggle financially. 

“Our goal is to make chess more vibrant, exciting and rewarding. We want players to share their ideas with the federation so that together we can transform the sport,” he said.  He expressed confidence that, within the next few years, public perceptions of chess would change significantly as the sport grew in popularity and accessibility.

Beyond competition, Kgomotso highlighted chess as an important tool for improving mental health, saying the game developed critical thinking, patience, discipline and strategic decision-making. He also encouraged the media to tell more stories about chess to help the public appreciate its broader social and educational value. 

“There is much more to chess than people realise. It teaches strategy, patience and pattern recognition and skills that help people make better decisions in everyday life,” he said.

Kgomotso further encouraged the federation to keep pushing boundaries. “Our interest is to see young people excel through sport. We encourage the federation to continue raising standards because success inspires the nation and creates excitement around the game,” he said. ends