Chess boss challenges new players

Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday February 13, 2014 19:44

 

Maruatona told Mmegi Sport that the state of affairs could be a reflection that upcoming players are ignored or something is not being done right. The National Chess Championship is financed by Metropolitan Botswana which has increased the sponsorship to P108,750 from P80, 000. Maruatona said the increase in sponsorship is a sign of growth. “The growth is not only in terms of money, but also the number of players that have been taking part in the championship. Most of the national team players have been champions in this event,” he said.

Maruatona said the first round of the championship would be played in Gaborone and the second round in Francistown. There will be an open section and a women section.

The open section is for all players and is the toughest while the women section is strictly for females. The top 24 from the open section and top 18 from the women category will qualify for the next round.

The final round will be held in Gaborone in April. Maruatona announced that BCF would erect a giant chessboard at Our Lady of the Desert Primary School in Francistown as a way of taking the sport to the people.

Meanwhile, the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng has complimented BCF executive committee for doing a good job in the short time they have been in office. He said the work they have done is similar to that of people who have been in office for 10 years.

Speaking at the sponsorship launch for the National Chess Championship at Oasis Motel, he stated that the committee has managed to convince people that chess is a sport.

Reikeletseng noted that chess is the only sport that gives players the same opportunities. He said that the biggest achievement that by BCF is to groom talent at grassroots level. The winner in the open section will pocket P8,500 while the women champion will walk away P5,500 richer.