A 10-year-old chess player and 2021 Gauteng School Sports Athlete of the year, Kajol Naidoo has embarked on a mission to teach chess and encourage schools to incorporate the sport into the syllabus of mainstream schooling.
The Grade 4 learner at Radford House who lives with her parents in Maroeladal, Fourways has visited different schools, teaching and preaching the gospel of chess which she believed could help in critical thinking.
According to her father, Gerard Naidoo, lots of self-determination, a craving for winning, persistence, and a positive and balanced outlook to life, is what drives the 2019 South African Girls U9 School Individual Chess champion.
“Kajol took it upon herself to speak and share her experiences with her fellow school learners at Radford House as well as other schools,” he said.
“She refined her speech on her journey into a motivational talk which she regular delivers to empower other young players and their parents. She also decided to regularly use some of her minimal tournament financial winnings to reach out to other children and donated medals and a floating trophy.
“She has donated 10 checkboards to Rathusa Club and has undertaken to tutor orphans at the Mother of Peace Orphanage in North Riding.”
Gerard added after winning the U10 Girls SA Championship, Kajol had qualified to play in the World Cadet Online Championship which would take place online in August this year.
“Thereafter, there is the African Championship and Commonwealth Games.”
