12 Jun 2024

The Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) has selected a team of 12 junior chess players to represent the country at the 15^th Africa Youth Chess Championships. The Championships will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, June 15-23. 

BCF public relations director, Goitsemodimo Makgatle, said the championships was a major and highly competitive event attracting players from all the African countries. Makgatle said the team was made up of Ngwao Keoletile and Nalamalpu Saishanvi Reddy (U-8), Sanjay Sandeep and Otimile Melisa (U-10), Toor Qudsia Abrar and Kefentse Mogomotsi (U-12), Otimile Maya, Zeyin Wu, Bartlett Ezra and Nalamalpu Eesha Reddy (U-14), Thuto Mpene, Laone Moshoboro (U-16), Arona Moshoboro and Naledi Marape (U-18). 

Makgatle said the team would be without the country’s Gold medalist in the U-16 category from last year’s Africa Youth Chess Championships in Egypt Women Candidate Master (WCM) and reigning national champion, Natalie Banda. 

She said Banda did not participate in the qualifiers that were held on April 27-28, therefore was not included in the team. However, Makgatle said the team was boosted by experienced players in the likes of Reddy who was one of the medalists in last year’s championships, having won a silver medal in the U-12 category.

She said among the experienced players were Marape, Otimile, Mpene and Ezra who have participated in the Championships before. 

The team coach will be International Master Providence Oatlhotse, who will be accompanied by Makgatle. 

The girls team will be captained by Marape while the boys team will be under the guidance of Mpene. 

The team will depart on Saturday and is expected back home on June 23. ENDS