Minentle Miya, a learner of Hlangabeza Primary School, has made her school, Khutsong Chess Club, and the Merafong community proud with her recent achievements. She is the third chess player from Hlangabeza to get SA Colours. Fihla Lonwabo and Nhamuave Eleazar before her subsequently received bursaries from the sports department.
The eight-year-old has consistently excelled and produced outstanding results since the beginning of 2018. Her performance has earned her the title of Hlangabeza Chess Player of the year.
She also earned the title of Primary School Female Athlete of the Year award at the Gauteng West District School sports awards at Propracticum in Krugersdorp. She later won the same award at the provincial school sports awards at Birchwood Hotel. Her coach, Eazy Tshabadira also won the Coach of the Year awards at both events. Minentle had won almost all the tournaments she participated in. She won all her games and came home with the trophy when she represented Dr Kenneth Kaunda region at the SA Junior Chess Championships in December. Her performance ensured her a place at the SA Junior Closed Chess Championships at Kopanong Hotel, Benoni this month. This is the most difficult junior tournament in the country and only the best players in the country are invited. The contest aims to select the best of the best to represent the country at continental and international competitions.
Minentle played brilliantly, winning seven of her nine games and bagging a silver medal in her first attempt. She is now heading for the World Cadets championship in China in August, the African Youth championship in Namibia and the Commonwealth Chess Championships in India). “As excited as we are about her talent and achievements, we are still worried about the funding for the competitions. She will need euros, as always). If she doesn’t have the money, she will be replaced by the next player who can afford it and lose her SA Colours’, said the coach.