BOTASH partners with BCF

LETLHOGILE MPUANG

Botswana Chess Federation has forged a partnership with local company Botswana Ash (BOTASH) which will see the organizing of an annual tournament billed ‘BOTASH Chess Championships’. Though the tournament has been slated for a date later this year, 27-28 August in Sowa Town, the two entities will look to co-exist in a number of ways in contributing to the development of the sport in the country, this was revealed in a statement from the BCF.
“The partnership will provide a platform for the chess lovers and students in the small town of Sowa and give the players an opportunity to unlock their talent and test their aptitude against the best. This collaboration aim in facilitating the development of the game of chess in Sowa Town and surrounding areas, as well as to help advance some key strategic deliverables within the Botswana Chess Federation strategic plan, which advocates for chess in all corners of the country,” reads one part of the statement.
One key aspect of the partnership will also seek to increase the number of sporting activities in Sowa Town and advance the country wide drive of using sports as a tool for development.
To the tournament, the competition is set to go down as one of the biggest chess event in the country with recognition of World Chess international body FIDE, and a sponsorship of P40,000.
The release further states that the event is an open chess competition which aims at the country’s young and senior players from all corners of Botswana as well as players from outside the boarders of Botswana.
“The tournament will be divided into an open section, ladies section and the youth section to carter for all participants. We expect participants from other neighbouring countries and as such, this event will go down in record as one of the most anticipated sporting activities in Southern Africa at inception and beyond,” reads of the press release.
Botswana’s top chess players are expected to grace the tourney as they seek to improve their ratings, expect for the country’s highest rated player Providence Oatlhotse who revealed that he will not take part in any local events. Inventions to the tournament are said to start circulating in two weeks.