BCF, Botho negotiate sponsorship renewal

Calistus Kolantsho | Friday September 12, 2014 11:32

BCF spokesperson, Keenese Katisenge said the BCF signed an agreement worth P120,000 with Botho University in 2012 and the contract ends after tomorrow’s tournament. 

The two parties are currently engaged in negotiations to renew for another three years.

Katisenge said the annual senior secondary schools teams’ chess championships has attracted many participants to the sport and they have learnt to play as teams.

“Chess is played in two ways, as individuals or teams.

The championship grooms players for junior national teams. The tournament has for the past two years assisted BCF to develop and keep young players active.

Over 600 players have taken part in the tournament since its inception,” she said.

Internationals, Thapelo Francis, Goabaone Tangane and Otsile Mapini are some of the products of the senior secondary schools’ championship.

Katisenge said this weekend’s competition is open to all senior secondary schools and they are required to field a maximum of two teams per category.

Nata (boys) and Mogoditshane (girls) won the first championships in 2012. Last year, Nata and Francistown won the girls and boys titles respectively.

Katisenge said the awards for best performers in the tournament include computers for the champions, demonstration boards and chess sets. She added that the winners would earn the right to participate in the national club chess championships to be held later this year.

BCF will use the tournament as a practice event for the Under-14, 16 and 18 players who will represent the country at the World Youth Chess Championships in Durban, South Africa at the end of the month.