6 SEPTEMBER 2016
Botswana: Parents Key to Sport Development
By Tiroyaone Ramooki
Gaborone — Parents play an important role in development of sports, Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) chief executive officer, Falcon Sedimo has said.
He was speaking at a press conference to welcome a youth chess team from African Youth Chess championships held in South Africa from on August 21-29.
The team was made up of the under 18, under 12 and under 8 players.Sedimo said it was through parents’ support that the BNSC could achieve most of the goals set for young athletes.
“For a young chess player to be able to realise his/her potential, the role of a parent is all important as without the emotional and often financial support from parents, no matter how talented the child may be chances are they will not make any good progress,” he said.
Sedimo commended parents of children who represented Botswana at the championships.
He also commended those who scooped prizes and encouraged those who did not win to learn from their mistakes. “I wish to specially commend 9-year-old woman candidate master, Naledi Marape and candidate master Iphadza Masala for winning the silver and bronze medals in the under 10 girls and boys sections respectively,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude that Palesa Mooketsi also received a special prize at the event in recognition of her brilliance in round one of the under 18 category.
Meanwhile, Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) public relations officer, Keenese Katisenge said they had realised that for them to have a sustainable future, they had to invest in young players.
“We have partnered with primary schools to start chess at grassroots level. We also have two centres in Gaborone and in Francistown but we are looking into expanding and opening other centres to cater for the whole country,” Katisenge said.
BOPA
Source: http://allafrica.com