BCF gets new president
Sylviah Disele
Correspondent

The Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) has a new president. Tshenolo Maruatona was elected BCF boss at a congress held at Mokala Lodge in Jwaneng on Saturday.

Maruatona scooped 65 votes to beat Cinky Boikanyo (10) after Reuben Makgatlo pulled out of the race. The new vice president (technical) is Ivon Makabe who beat Kelapile Kelatlhilwe 42-31 in the elections. Other new committee members were elected unopposed. They include vice president (administration), Roger Tiroyamodimo; treasurer Gofaone Baleseng; public relations’ officer, Keenese Katisenge; development director; Mothokomedi Thabano and ratings and technical director, Vincent Masole.

In his acceptance speech, Maruatona said they have a hard act to follow because the outgoing committee had done a good job. “We certainly have big shoes to fill and this we see as an inspiration and even better reason for us to apply ourselves even more,” he said.

He asserted that their success should be measured by their ability to deliver on key issues with the timeliness that they will collectively set as a committee. He said that grassroots development is one of the priority areas. “It is my commitment with the blessing of my committee to introduce chess in primary schools across the country. This we have to start on and implement the first phase before the end of July,” he said.

The new president emphasised the need to equip trainers who will oversee the programme for desired results. He noted that almost all the greatest chess players started at an early age through coordinated programmes. Maruatona said there is need to elect all the substructures and make them operational. He said that the absence of substructures frustrates execution of programmes on the ground.

“Currently our chess teams are disjointed and some of them are not registered.

Our league committee is not in place, hence the reason we don’t have any local chess league,” he said. The BCF president highlighted the importance of a comprehensive marketing and sponsorship plan because chess is one of the few sports whose benefits correlate with academic excellence. 

Source: http://www.mmegi.bw

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