As part of celebrating Botswana Chess Federation’s 30 years of existence, Francistown region will hold an open chess tournament on Saturday at the IHS auditorium.

SPORTS DEVELOPER: Odirile Sibanda

Registration fee is P50 for over 14 years and P25 for Under 14 year olds. Winners walk away with price money, medals, certificates and trophies. Prize money will be determined by the number of registered participants.

Speaking to Voice Sport this week, Botswana National Sports Council sports Development Officer Odirile Sibanda said the main event of celebration will be held in Gaborone and Francistown region decided to celebrate it with a tournament. He provides a good opportunity to develop chess in the region.

“Recently, we have registered a chess club and this tournament will help us to recruit new players. In Botswana games from 2009 to 2011 Francistown region boys team won gold medals and this shows that there is talent in our region. There are some chess national team players from our region like Boikhutso Mudongo and Phemelo Kheto who is a fide master. We lost these players since we did not have a registered club and Gaborone teams were quick to lure them,” said Sibanda.

The eight round table will be timed to an hour. Sibanda further encouraged players to bring their own chess set and clocks if they have them since there are limited resources.
He said he expect the competition to be tough as young and promising players  who won gold medals in last Botswana Games Clifford Masole and Goabaone Thangane will be participating.
The tournament is sponsored by The Voice Newspaper and Destiny Car Rentals and Garero Multimedia Enterprises.

Odirile-Sibanda