Former Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) executive committee member Keenese Katisenge’s newly formed chess academy has committed itself to reaching out to people living with disabilities.
Limitless minds chess academy has pledged to improve lives, personal development and social inclusion of people with special needs through chess. The newly established chess academy’s first project will be ‘’chess for the blind” to allow the visually impaired to feel socially included in the sporting fraternity and experience benefits of sports participation. The project is at an advanced stage and disabled athletes are expected to throng the facility in large numbers.
Founder of the academy, Katisenge said the academy is complimenting effort of BCF in developing and advancing game of chess in special needs communities.
“One of the academy’s first projects will be the “Chess for the Blind” Initiative. Preparations for rolling out the project are at an advanced stage. This initiative is in line with international sports policies for sports for all. Chess is a game of strategy, it empowers the mind and Limitless Minds Chess Academy is taking the advantage to demonstrate the beauty of the game,” said Katisenge.
She said the aim of the academy was to mould a responsible society through sport.
“The academy would like to contribute positively to society by using chess as a tool for empowerment and social inclusion. The aim is to help in making a positive impact in society and in producing exceptional individuals beyond the chess board,” said Katisenge.
She said the academy will add value to the local game by empowering players through workshops and seminars. The stable will organise international chess tournaments of high standards and chess training camps with high profile players locally, regionally and internationally. Katisenge holds chess administration tittles as FIDE Arbiter (FA), National Instructor (NI) and International Organiser (IO) and has been part of BCF executive committee for eight years as additional member, secretary general and spokesperson.
The academy is also committed to tackling different social ills affecting communities through chess.
“The workshops and training camps will not only be focusing on the sport, the main objective of these activities is to enhance the relevance of the game in society and assist alleviate some social ills such as drug abuse amongst youth. We want to reduce statistics of school dropouts, unwanted pregnancies and other social ills within our society,” added Katisenge.
