Chess Open postponed due to travel restrictions
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday October 2, 2020 16:13
The Presidential COVID-19 Task Force team announced movement restrictions within zones, which affected the tournament, as players were expected from across the country.
The tournament was supposed to run from Wednesday until tomorrow (Saturday). BCF said bearing in mind the number of players from outside the Greater Gaborone region meant the tournament could not proceed. However, it would take place at a later date.
The association, through a statement said it would refund players who had already registered for the tournament.
“In light of the updates by COVID-19 Task team, we anticipate that not everyone based out of Gaborone seeking to come into the city for the tournament will be able to do so. We would like to allow equal participation and fair competition by inclusiveness, not just hosting a tournament exclusively for Gaborone-based chess players. In considering the above point, BCF has taken the decision to postpone the Botswana Open Chess Championship indefinitely, until the regulations restricting movement allow for all interested in playing to travel and do so,” the statement read.
“Those who had already paid registration fees may consider them as advance payment for the tournament and wait for rescheduling or may contact the secretary-general for their refunds. We apologise if at all this communication is disappointing or disheartening. The safety of everyone is a major priority.”
This is the first time in close to a decade that the tournament, which had attracted players from abroad, is not played over the Independence Day holidays. International players were set to miss the tournament, as the international flights remain grounded.
The Botswana Open Chess is one of highest rewarding individual sport tournament as players were set to walk away with P10,000 prize for the men’s section while the women compete for P7,000.