26 Jul 2022

 There is still room to catapult chess to greater heights as there is passion for the sport.

An International Chess Federation (FIDE) trainer in Botswana, Cinky Boikanyo, said this in an interview on the side-lines of the just ended South-South zonal-Botswana Brigades Sports Association (BOBSA) games in Ghanzi.

These were preliminary games leading to Botswana Tertiary Students sports Association (BOTESSA) championships.

Boikanyo, who is also a chess trainer of trainees, said at lower level, Botswana was doing well in chess, but more could be done to grow the sport through organising coaching clinics and sharing chess materials as well as resourcing the existing clubs.

The four-time national championship finalist and the 2012 national chess championship silver medallist challenged businesses to invest in chess looking at its imminent growth.

He said chess players were talented, passionate and hard working as such they needed to be supported for them to reach their full potential and represent the country at continental tournament and chess Olympics.

“I had the opportunity to play with some of the players and I have realised that there are not only talented but hardworking and I felt that they can do better if properly nurtured,’’ Boikanyo stated.

He said the game of chess helped students to develop good memory, concentration and problem solving skills.

South-South zonal coordinator, Emmanuel Makopola, said the games went well despite challenges such as lack of sporting facilities. He said games of this nature cultivated talent and provided a platform to scout talent.

Makopola regretted that some talent went to waste just because one was not identified and therefore appealed to those who scout talent to use these platforms.

Meanwhile, in Men’s football, Kang brigade and Barolong Vocational Training College (VTC) will represent the region after scooping position one and two respectively while in ladies football the zone will be represented by Kang and Barolong VTC.

In volley ball, Moshupa and Kweneng Bophirima brigade will represent the region while in netball the zone will be represented by Moshupa and Kang brigades.

In chess, Obakeng Mosienyane who emerged the winner with 6 points from seven games will be joined by position two to eight to proceed to the next stage of the competition. ENDS