Junior chess players make Africa squad
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday October 9, 2020 15:01
Africa would be competing against Europe, Asia and America. The five players include reigning national champion, Besa Maiti who would be playing in the Under-18 category.
Under-16 players, Ruth Otisitswe and Darius Banda are included while Naledi Marape and Ofile Masilo would be on standby in the Under-18 and Under-12 sections, respectively.
The tournament would be played in four categories of Under 12, 14, 16 and 18 with two players in each category.
The five Batswana players make a team of 16 African players selected for the tournament. The team is reporting for camp at Ave Maria Hotel on Friday. They would be based at the hotel for the duration of the competition.
Botswana Chess Federation secretary general, Mokwaledi Tingwane said the recognition for the junior players was a milestone, particularly for the development structures.
“They deserve the recognition. They have dominated the national championship in the past years. Besa (Masaiti) took reigns from Refilwe (Gabatshwarwe). It goes to show how strong our young generation is and what the future holds for us,” he said, noting five out of 16 in the vast African continent was a great number. Meanwhile, the national team would, this weekend, participate in the 2020 Zone 4.5 online Championship. Botswana will play against 10 SADC countries.
International Master, Providence Oatlhotswe would be leading the team. He would play from South Africa where he is currently based.
Team Botswana is composed of Chess Master, Thuso Mosutha, Gomolemo Rongwane and Oratile Kgotlane in the Open section.
Women International Master (WIM), Onkemetse Francis, WFM Masaiti, Women Chess Master (WCM), Refilwe Gabatshwarwe, WIM, Kgalalelo Botlhole would represent the team in the women section.
Chess Master, Thabo Elias, Othata Selogelo and Karabo Manyenyegwa would play in the Under-20 boys, while WFM Marape, Otisitswe WCM Natalie Banda would play in the Under-20 girls’ category. The selection of the team was based on the highest-rated player in the country, national championship and FIDE ratings. The team would also be based at Ave Maria Hotel.
Three coaches Major Ivon Makabe, Mosenya Ndawana and WIM Boikhutso Mudongo would guide the team. Tingwane said they could not secure a sponsor and would be using the Botswana National Sport Council grant to ensure the team competed.
In the past international online Olympiad internet presented a challenge that contributed to the misfortunes of the national team.
When quizzed if the problem would not persist, Tingwane said connectivity would be improved. “We have taken our lessons and we would increase our modems to complement that we have to boost the internet and hopefully encounter fewer problems.”