Thursday evening marked a very prestigious and historic moment for the Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) that will for the first time hold a league for their clubs.
In 2005, the federation made an attempt to start a league but failed due to financial hurdles. However, this year Mahindra has come forth and sponsored the federation to start a league.
President of BCF, Tshepo Sitale, expressed his gratitude to the sponsorship noting that, “I am excited and over the moon as today marks another level for chess development in Botswana. We had earlier organized everything but lacked funds so most of plans failed.”
He explained that with the gesture that Mahindra had shown them, they will now realize their dreams.
“Chess is already in almost all the schools now including primary schools, and with the league starting many more chess fans will get drawn to the sport and it will grow further,” he said.
He further said chess benefits people a lot stating that it instills discipline, strategic thinking and also strategic planning and thinking.
Delivering a keynote address, Botswana National Olympic Committee CEO, Tuelo Serufho, asserted that the sponsorship would go a long way in changing the status quo of chess in the country.
“The support Mahindra is giving chess will catapult their missions and they have also made a name for themselves in the books of history by being the first ever company to sponsor the league,” he said.
He noted that such sponsorship, which includes prize money, administration and the whole sponsoring of the league, is a big gesture that other companies should follow in order to help in sports development in the country.
“A league is a fundamental development structure. With it running, there is better organization of clubs and all those that were dormant become resuscitated,” Serufho added.
He further said sport unifies the nation and therefore it is with pleasure that companies such as Mahindra plough back to the nation through sports.
Mahindra CEO, Anand Radhakrishnan, explained that their aim is to improve chess.
“We chose chess because it is gaining international notice slowly and therefore wanted Botswana to be part of that,” he said.
He stated that with a league running, players will also get a chance to showcase their full potential and blossom as they will be playing for something that is sponsored.
He revealed that they will be sponsoring the 2010 Mahindra Botswana Chess league with P50 000.
BCF Secretary General, Kenneth Boikhutswane, told the Sunday Standard that the league will start on the 27th of February and the venue is likely to be Legae Academy or Rainbow School. He further said the league will see participation from 14 clubs.
Furthermore, the federation will hold the Schools Chess Championships at Francistown Secondary School this weekend from 20-21st February. All Junior and Senior Schools and Tertiary/Institutions Sections will participate in the championships.
