Marape and Shiram crowned chess champions

Calistus Kolantsho | Monday June 9, 2014 07:41

 

In the Under-10 category the winners were Wathobo Butale (girls) and Gideon Masaiti. Srinidi Ravi (girls) and Amaresh Kathiresan (boys) won the Under-12 tittles.

The boys Under-14 and 16 categories were won by Harry Kemsley and Sonny Mbaki while Khumo Moooketsi emerged the winner of the girls Under-16 competition.

Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) spokesperson, Keenese Katisenge told Monitor Sport that the tournament attracted 100 young players from the ages of 5-16. She said the tournament was financed by the family of former chess player, Dr Marape Marape.

The family paid for the venue and bought all the chess equipment and medals. Katisenge said the two-day chess tournament was divided into Under-8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 age categories in line with BCF’s commitment to grassroots development.

The federation and Marape’s family chose to award all the winners and the runner-ups with chess equipment. “We appreciate the support that we received from Dr Marape family and I appeal to all parents to follow in their footsteps to support the development of the game,” she said.

Katisenge stated that BCF held a chess exhibition in Francistown recently through the support of Spar Supermarket. She explained that the aim of the event was to take the game to the people so as to attract new players. BCF has a strategy to have 8,000 chess players by 2016.