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Swimmers for Cana Zone IV Championships 2020 announced

February 3, 2020, 11:36 pm
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Swimmers for Cana Zone IV Championships 2020 announced
• TEAM BOTSWANA ANNOUNCEMENT Cana Zone IV Championships 2020 Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA) are excited to announce Team Botswana who will be competing at the CANA Zone IV Swimming Championships, 20-23rd February 2020. The venue is the UB Pool in Gaborone. Names Girls 12 & U Boys 12& U Jun-Suh Chang Thata Ramakoloi Yun-sun Chang Naledi Merafhe Renee Oagile-Motso Junior Keitsile Ethan Haskins Abaleng Mmelesi Nathan Seetso Khalil Sethi Girls 13 - 14 Boys 13 - 14 Michelle Jack Kimberly Ingwe Mutinda Mutie Amaru Ditlhogo Kyra Harry Lerako Molefe Kgotla Mokobi Mmusi Matthews Thabang Seetso Yusurf Gamroudi Girls 15 - 16 Boys 15 -16 Maxine Egner Tselane Matthews Naya Hughes Shamiso Matonhodze Caitlin Loo Andile Bekker Brandon Rouse Benco Van Rooyen Takunda Gondo Ethan Harry Girls 17 - 24 Boys 17 - 24 Ruva Gondo Tayla Vos Leone Van Rooyen Refentse Ruele Amantle Mogara James Freeman Ethan Fischer Solomon Dzingai Lefa Kgang Maemo Sebikiri Botswana Swimming is also pleased to announce our sponsors for Team Botswana are: Stanbic Bank and Wimpy together with The Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA). We would like to acknowledge their contribution and generous support to growing the sport of swimming within Botswana and Africa.…
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MAJWE- AM570 CYCLING CHALLENGE

February 4, 2020, 1:56 am
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MAJWE- AM570 CYCLING CHALLENGE
The Inaugural Majwe Mining Albert Milton (Majwe-AM570) cycling challenge is here. The Majwe-AM570 comes in the wake of Albert Milton’s untimely demise (MHSRP) in August of 2019. Milton was an avid cyclist whose cycling career centered around charity and giving back to underprivileged communities. The Majwe-AM570 is therefore a continuation and extension of the man Milton was, as the proceeds thereof will go towards the upliftment of the lives of the learners around the Jwaneng Mine Zone of Influence (ZOI). This charitable cycling challenge is a face-off between Albertinah Milton (Albert Milton’s widow) and Rod Dixon (Majwe Director). It is slated to take place over a period of 3 days with the duo and their entourage cycling 570km. These kilometers are representative of each decade Milton lived as he passed at the age of 57. The challenge which will commence on the 30th April 2020 - 2ndMay 2020 will see the cyclists racing from Gaborone to Mahalapye and back, and the race will end in Jwaneng. Both Albertinah and Rod are dedicated cycling enthusiasts having cycled for charity under different hats. DATES-30th April,2020-2nd May 2020 ROUTES-Gaborone-Mahalapye, Mahalapye-Gaborone and Gaborone-Jwaneng
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Magosi take on Masitaoka

February 26, 2020, 12:07 am
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Masitaoka FC midfielder Koketso Majafi dribbles past Mogoditshane Fighters (Blue and Yellow) player
Premier League bound Masitaoka Football Club, will over the weekend paint the Bakwena capital blue where they will spend the whole week lying in wait for the limping Kgatleng side, Mochudi Centre Chiefs (Maaparankwe). The two sides lock horns at Molepolole Sports Complex on (29th Feb 2020) Saturday evening in a mouthwatering encounter that promises fireworks. Donning their trademark royal blue and white replicas, crowds supporting the Molepolole based Majatlhaga have been flooding the dusty grounds of DFDS. They are now demanding that the team graduate to better facilities more conduce for carpet football, which the players have been dishing out in truckloads since the start of 2019/20 season. Eager to gain automatic promotion to the Premier league, and get the monkey off their back for being the only major village that does not feature a team in the elite league, the Molepolole side will go for the jocular from the first whistle -a sequel of the thrashing they handed second placed Mogoditshane Fighters last weekend. A win on Saturday will extend Masitaoka's lead at the summit of DFDS to eight (8) points, regardless of the outcome of the Fighters game. The 11 points gap that separates the two sides…
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Mascom Top 8 final, Orapa, Rollers vie for P1.4m

March 3, 2020, 11:56 pm
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Mascom Top 8 final, Orapa, Rollers vie for P1.4m
Obed Itani Chilume Sports Complex in Francistown will on Saturday stage the titanic clash of local soccer giants – Township Rollers and Orapa United – as they vie for the mouthwatering P1.4m winners’ prize in Mascom Top 8 final. Rollers and the Ostriches will live nothing to chance in gunning for the ultimate prize. The winning cash prize has been raised from the P1.3 million which was won in the previous top 8 edition by Jwaneng Galaxy. Both teams are currently doing well in the league, seating in top 3 bracket and have both progressed to Orange FA Cup last 16 round after their massive wins against minnows recently. Rollers defeated Tonota FC 6-0 while United thrashed Mogoditshane Fighters 5-1 in FA Cup. During the last Top 8 final when the two met, Rollers emerged victorious by beating Orapa 4-2 during 2017/18 season edition but Orapa revenged last year by beating Popa in the Orange FA final. To secure a place in this year’s final, Rollers knocked out BDF XI by 3-2 aggregate score whilst Orapa knocked Jwaneng Galaxy by 2-1 score grabbing a late 1-0 narrow win in second leg clash. Football analyst Jimmy George said while there is…
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Saving local soccer

March 4, 2020, 1:22 am
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Mamelodi
Give us background on the Programme and its intentions ASHFORD: This ambitious and unprecedented programme by the Botswana Football Association (BFA) National Executive Committee (NEC) kicked-off in June 2019 with a full Administration and Management course offered to the Ghanzi Regional Football Association. The programme, known simply as Operation Time for Change, is intended to initially capacitate Regional Football authorities and local Clubs was approved and funded by FIFA through the FIFA Forward programme. The programme has to date been to 12 Regional Associations including Tsabong, Mahalapye, Kasane, Maun, Palapye, Kanye, Tlokweng, Molepolole and Letlhakane covering some 400 participants. The last course during the last week of November 2019 was held at Kang for both the Kang and Hukuntsi Regional Associations. An important feature of the programme has been ‘Maitiso a Kgwele ya Dinao’, normally on a Wednesday evening and which gave local football enthusiasts and course participants an opportunity to engage with the top leadership of the BFA for up to two hours. It is envisaged that the programme will extend to the National Leagues and the BFA NEC and Secretariat. The programme also provided an opportunity for the departments of Refereeing and Technical at the BFA to make…
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Can Nikola, Oris deliver?

March 25, 2020, 11:47 pm
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Nikola and Oris Radipotsane
As the newly hired outspoken Jwaneng Galaxy Coach Nikola Kavazovic prepares to take full charge in a bid to win the BTC Premiership title, reports say that the Serbian manager is not ready to work with his current assistant coach, Oris Radipotsane. Galaxy management have been qucik to deny the allegations. Radipotsane has been at the helm of team as the interim coach after the high flying Jwaneng based outfit decided to part ways with former Portuguese coach Miguel da Costa last month. Da Costa who won Mascom Top 8 title with Galaxy in 2019 was sacked by the club immediately after Galaxy suffered 1-0 defeat to Security Systems during a league match. Thereafter, Oris took the hot seat on an interim basis. Just last week, Galaxy appointed the former Township Rollers and Gaborone United coach, Kavazovic to replace Da Costa. He hit the ground running with a 2-0 win against Mochudi Rovers in the Orange FA Cup last 16 tie last week. Known for his no-nonsense approach and love to stamp authority, rumors made rounds on Friday morning that the outspoken Serbian mentor made it clear that he cannot work with Oris. Reached for a comment over alleged fall…
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BNOC supports IOC

March 25, 2020, 11:52 pm
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Serufho
Botswana National Olympics Committee (BNOC) was amongst other National Olympics Committees (NOC’s) across Africa who vehemently supported the International Olympics Committee (IOC)’s statement that maintained its stand that the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will go ahead as planned despite growing numbers of Corona Virus across the world. International sports bodies around the globe including Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) have been cancelling and postponing lots of international sports events including the Olympics qualifiers after the virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation recently. Part of the IOC statement released early last week states that: “This is an unprecedented situation for the whole world. We are in solidarity with the whole of society to do everything to contain the virus. The situation around the COVID-19 virus is also impacting the preparations for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and is changing day by day. The IOC remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and with more than four months to go before the Games there is no need for any drastic decisions. The IOC encourages all athletes to continue to prepare for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as best they can,”. However, the BNOC Chief Executive Officer (CEO)…
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Sport crippled by COVID-19

March 25, 2020, 11:59 pm
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Sedimo
COVID-19 popularly known as Corona virus has held the world major sporting events at ransom after a massive outbreak that started in Wuhan, China last year December. The virus has been spreading daily with rapid speed that caused more than 3,000 fatalities. Corona Virus was declared a Pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) early this week. in the wake of rising numbers of registered and confirmed cases, the government of Botswana through Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) recently took a decision to stop all planned external sports travels for National teams and the hosting of international teams for undisclosed period of time. The BNSC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Falcon Sedimo said the decision was prompted by the impact that the virus caused in sports, especially from gatherings in stadiums worldwide. “This is a serious virus that has claimed lives of human beings and we found it fit to act even though there are no confirmed or registered cases in Botswana. Restricting travels and hosting of international events will make a huge impact in reducing the chances of catching the virus,” he said. Sedimo further stated that there was need to comply and learn from other countries that are affected…
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Online chess boosted

April 29, 2020, 1:30 am
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Woman International Master (WIM) Onkemetse Francis in action
The local online chess initiative has received a shot in the arm after the Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) pledged to sponsor one of their tournaments. While other sporting codes have been put on hold completely by the covid-19 pandemic, this is however not the case with chess as its players have alternatively fallen back on online games. Though online chess has always been played before, the electronic game has since grown as a result of the covid-19 induced lockdown which banned all physical sporting activities. Players compete against each other from the comfort of their homes using electronic gadgets. FIDE International Organiser and Arbiter, Vincent Masole has tapped on the initiative and is organizing daily tournaments for local players. He started the online chess tournaments weeks ago just after President Mokgweetsi Masisi put the country on a 28 days lockdown. He says the online initiative is to facilitate for chess players to continue playing the game up until the covid-19 situation is contained. “Chess is so addictive you can’t stay away from it so after the lockdown announcement we thought of how we can continue playing the game, and after finding the best programme we started organizing online tournaments,” he…
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Sport Associations tackle boardroom squabbles

April 29, 2020, 1:32 am
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Botswana Netball Association (BONA) President Malebogo Raditladi
It is rare to find a National Sport association’s executive committee pulling together as a team to achieve their mandate as per the promise they made when voted into office because everyone now wants to push their own agenda taking advantage of the platform they were afforded by the affiliates. Non-compliance and governance in sport leadership is amongst reasons as to why Botswana sport is stagnant and not producing any positive outcomes from administrators to athletes on the field. Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development through the National Sport governing body Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) took a decision to suspend all sport activities and international travels last month in the wake of Corona Virus Pandemic which left almost all sportsmen in the world idle. According to the information gathered by The Patriot Sport, majority of the local sport associations are utilising this period of “no action” to fix their relations amongst each other and reflect on their leadership as far as compliance and governance is concerned. In an exclusive interview with The Patriot Sport, the recently resurrected Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) President Kudzanani Motswagole said they are currently going through their constitution and documents that governs…
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Covid-19 hits female athletes hard

May 6, 2020, 2:16 am
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Magang
The covid-19 pandemic has left some women footballers around the country stranded and without any means of survival. The affected players who normally depend on their football clubs for survival are said to be now encountering tough times as they cannot afford to buy even the basic needs such as food and toiletries as well as paying their rentals for accommodation. Nhabe Regional Football Association (NRFA) Chairperson, Norman Sebele has confirmed that their region is among those which are experiencing the same challenges. Sebele indicated that they have since compiled and submitted a report to Botswana Football Association (BFA) as requested by the latter to see how the players through their clubs can be assisted. According to him,one will find that the entire squad of some of these clubs is unemployed with only a few of them doing some piece jobs as a side hustle. Those who make income is said to be something not sustainable resulting in them to mostly depend on their football clubs for survival. Sebele laments that because of the covid-19 induced lockdown it is however difficult for the already financially struggling teams to support these players in terms of paying their rents and buying them…
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BFA adopts wait and see

May 6, 2020, 2:37 am
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Botswana Football Association (BFA) President MacLean Letshwiti
Botswana Football Association (BFA) President MacLean Letshwiti has assured football lovers around the country that they have not yet considered cancelling the 2019/20 league seasons due to the covid 29 pandemic, like their counterparts elsewhere. Botswana Premier league (BPL) and other football activities across the country were put on hold by BFA on March 8th in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 as advised by public health officials. There haven’t been any official football action in Botswana since March 08th which means that the league is behind schedule by a month which will probably stretch to maximum of 2 months if everything goes according to plan. A number of professional leagues across the world have already cancelled their seasons including France’s league 1 and 2, Netherlands’s Eredivisie league while Belgian was declared finished due to the impact of Coronavirus. This have left other leagues in Europe and Africa with a dilemma and contemplation on what to do next. Most teams in Europe including Spain, England and Italy have returned to training with the hopes of resuming their domestic leagues next month but experts and doctors have advised otherwise stating that it is unsafe to play football again this…
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BFA General Assembly in limbo

May 6, 2020, 2:40 am
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BFA Spokesperson, Tumo Mpatane
The Botswana Football Association (BFA) says it will be advised by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) in deciding what should happen with the suspended local premier league as well as the association’s much anticipated Annual General Assembly (AGA) that is billed for August this year. In the midst of the ongoing corona-virus, football lovers are curious as to what will happen especially to the BTC premier league season should the virus be contained and the suspension of sports activities lifted. In the wake of the deadly virus, BFA suspended all sporting activities including the BTC premier league and First division leagues which were nearing completion. Some are of the view that the leagues should be finished while others suggest that they should be canceled. Others are also awaiting eagerly as to what will happen to the association’s presidential elections which was scheduled to held in four months. Reports are that the fierce contest will be between the incumbent, Maclean Letshwiti, former president Tebogo Sebego and former BFA CEO Ookeditse Malesu. All the three have however not yet confirmed the reports. There are allegations that whilst it is not yet clear as to whether the elections will proceed this…
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Players’ woes deepen

May 13, 2020, 5:32 am
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Players’ woes deepen
The covid-19 pandemic has worsened the hardships of many BTC Premier League players especially those who are plying their trade for teams which have always been struggling financially. It turns out that during this pandemic its only a few of financially capable clubs which are coping with the situation and are able to look after their players and most importantly pay them their full monthly salaries. Teams such as BDF XI, Police XI, Gaborone United (GU) and Jwaneng Galaxy among a few continue to pay their players full salaries without any challenge . A week into May this publication has however learnt that most of other clubs have failed to pay players their April salaries. Teams like Township Rollers FC are still negotiating with their resisting players to at least pay them only half of their April salaries. Other teams which have also committed to pay players half salaries are said to be still failing to do so even after they are the ones who have suggested that. Information reaching this publication is that players have also initially made a proposal through the Botswana Union of Footballers (FUB) for them to at least be paid full salaries for the months…
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Ramafifi’s long walk from Ledumang to Georgia

May 20, 2020, 3:03 am
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Ramafifi
Thuto Ramafifi grew up in the populated Gaborone suburb of Ledumang. Like any girl in Botswana, there were lots of sporting codes to fall in love with. Football was not an option at the time. At primary school, Ramafifi played netball. She was a shooter and sometimes deployed as a winger thanks to her height. She continued her education at Ledumang Senior School. It was a tough upbringing for the 28-year old who had to make the journey to school every day on foot, and also trying to break an existing norm which was against girls’ participation in sports. “I still remember everything as if it was yesterday how I was described as unusual girl. All this was because I was a rare breed - the only girl - in a family dominated by boys, and wanted to do everything they were doing. I never wanted to be second best either in gardening or any other boys’ jobs, the USA-based player told CAFOnline.com. Breaking the family hurdle “We had two dogs and I will run around with them. My grandfather was against it as he viewed such games suited for boys. He wanted me to stick to women-like games and…
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BFA President Statement on Government Relief

May 20, 2020, 3:51 am
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Letshwiti
BFA.CO.BW I wish to take this opportunity to convey a vote of gratitude and thanks to the Government of Botswana and the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture with the announcement made today regarding allowances availed to football and arts for months of April, May and June 2020. We accept that Government is under serious financial strain during this difficult period of Covid19. We therefore immediately acknowledge the P2500 stipend for each Premier League player and P1500 for each player in the National First Division as a welcome development. This stipend is strictly for purposes of cushioning the effects of the pandemic on the socio- economic lifestyles of players and technical members involved in running the clubs. This will also go a long way in giving club leaders a reprieve during this time. Club leaders and owners are custodians of football events and this financial assistance is critical in sustaining players and eventually the clubs they represent. The BFA is truly humbled by this noble gesture of unity. We have since availed P40,000 to BPL clubs as a reprieve to help clubs mitigate these devastating consequences. The BFA and its partners including Government continue to discuss sustainable means to get…
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Makwala defies age!

May 20, 2020, 4:33 am
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Makwala defies age!
Botswana’s most celebrated track runner Isaac Makwala is not anywhere near retirement as he sets his eyes on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics that have been moved to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Makwala has been hard at training trying to qualify for the Olympics but his optimism was halted by the nationwide lockdown that was imposed in order to curb the spread of corona virus. The 34-year old’s progress has been marred by injuries he incurred mid last year during the diamond league season that saw his performance regress. He has been struggling to get back to his usually state despite having recovered a while ago which is normal for athletes. He had not won any international or regional medal since his return, but he is adamant that he will get back to shape despite covid-19 setback. Speaking in an Open Discussion with Tsosi Panel discussion via Webinar Makwala boldly announced that he is focusing on qualifying for the Olympics because he still has what it takes to qualify despite his age. “My target was this year’s Olympics, unfortunately they were postponed and the bad part is that I was starting to get in shape and I was also…
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BFA to enforce club licensing

May 20, 2020, 5:31 am
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Letshwiti
The prolonged suspension of football activities due to Covid-19 outbreak could also be a blessing in disguise for some local premier league clubs which are still failing to comply with club licensing requirements to put their houses in order. Botswana Football Association (BFA) has sternly warned that club licencsing requirements will be implemented in full force in the next season. After BFA introduced a club licensing and compliance manual for both the Premier League and First Division League in 2016/17 season many teams have been struggling to comply and the association had to relax the standards to accommodate them. But BFA President Maclean Letshwiti says that will not be the case any more. “We are no longer going to do that because the result is a league ya bo mma boipelego. I mean where on earth do you find a team in a professional league e tsaya mophako, this is simply because they are not supposed to be there. It is just not their league,” Letshwiti fired in an interview with The Patriot Sport. The BFA Head is not proud about the embarrassing state in which most of local clubs are in especially those playing in the premier league. The…
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Govt snubs lower division, foreign players

May 26, 2020, 12:18 am
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Rakgare
While government through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development is applauded for cushioning the sports fraternity from the devastating effects of covid-19 with relief -fund packages the latter has however been slammed for having not extended the same aid to lower football division. Minister Tumiso Rakgare on Monday announced that 25 players from each of the 16 clubs in the premier league will receive P2500.00 each while 25 players from each of the 24 clubs in first division league will receive P1500.00 each. The payments will respectively run for the months of April, May and June. Lower football division will however not benefit from the packages. Rakgare said the Botswana Football Association (BFA) will through the expected FIFA emergency relief funds assist clubs at regional level. The decision did not seat well with Local Regional Football Administrator, Fobby Radipotsane who complained that clubs at lower division continue to be snubbed when it comes to covid-19 relief packages. He highlighted that the BFA recently only assisted premier league clubs with P40 000.00 each leaving out regional clubs. In an interview with The Patriot Sport, Radipotsane said relief packages are a good initiative but they should however be inclusive…
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Chess ready to make moves

June 8, 2020, 2:31 am
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BCF President Motlhokomedi Tlhabano
Like any other sport in the world impacted by the novel corona virus pandemic, local chess players did not succumb to its bearings instead, they resorted to online training. Chess technology is easily accessible, tutored and played online. Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) decided to return to the basics by resorting to online chess technology in order to keep their players engaged during the lockdown period. All sporting codes were recently given a green light to resume training and competitive activities after two months of no action due to the pandemic. In an exclusive interview with Patriot Sport, BCF President Motlhokomedi Tlhabano says they’re ready to resume chess activities as soon as possible because they have been keeping up online. “We have been having consistent online activities since lockdown and now our players have started training in their respective regions due to the covid-19 zonal movement restrictions. We have seen a huge improvement in our players interms of skills and play that they have acquired from these engagements. We are ready for any official tournament we are only waiting to hear from the government superiors regarding the official start of competitions without movement restrictions,” he said. He further stated that their…
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