The Mooketsi Segaise-led Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) executive committee has a mountain to climb to secure sponsors to replace the departed partners. Debswana Mining Company parted ways with chess last year, whilst Metropolitan Life recently announced the end of their partnership with the game. For the ultimate edition, which brings to a close a 20-year relationship, Metropolitan has pumped P160, 000 for the national championships. The BCF public relations officer, Goitsemodimo Makgatle, said the departure of Metropolitan is a huge blow for chess. She said it remains unclear what will be the way forward.
Makgatle said Metropolitan has always been the biggest chess sponsor. The first leg of the qualifiers were held over the weekend with the second qualifiers set for this month and finals in May. “The company has informed us that they want to shift focus to other societal problems. This is an indication that sport continues to face sponsorship challenges, it is not only happening to us,” she said. Makgatle said losing Debswana, who were league sponsors and now Metropolitan, means the executive committee has a lot of work to do in finding new partners. But former BCF president, Tshenolo Maruatona, has said the departure of Metropolitan should not be a disappointment. “Metropolitan has walked a long journey with the Botswana chess and they have exceedingly delivered on their commitment. Their exit from chess scene should not spell doom for chess. It ushers in a new perspective and an opportunity for the leadership to invent themselves and look beyond for more partnerships,” Maruatona said.
