The Midrand Chess Club had planned to hold a chess exhibition in February, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the event had to be postponed.
Nevertheless, instead of simply rescheduling the exhibition, the club decided to add a new dimension to the event and turn it into a tournament. And so, the Chess and Netball Festival tournament was born.
In partnership with the Edrei Mighty Warriors Netball Academy and other stakeholders, the upgraded tournament promises to be an exciting affair.
The event is set to take place on April 28, at a new venue – the 3 Square Sports Grounds in Alex.
Read more: Local academy, Edrei Mighty Warriors launches another branch in Randburg
According to Kgosiemang Molefe, coach of the chess club, the decision to change venues was made when the original venue, the Halfway House Primary School, became unavailable.
‘Unfortunately, the exhibition could not take place in February as the venue was already booked and Keith Khumalo, a candidate master, was also attending other chess tournaments.”
However, the postponement allowed the chess club to turn itself into a non-profit organisation that will formally launch on the day of the tournament.
“This will allow us to access more funding. The non-profit organisation status will also enable us to focus more on community programmes, which is part of our mission.”
The idea to uplift the community aligns properly with the vision of the netball academy, which seeks to empower young girls through several programmes to be the greatest versions of themselves.
The founder of Mighty Warriors, Kgomotso Chidzalo, saw an opportunity to partner with the chess club and introduce chess to their academy players and their siblings.
“I recognise the immense cognitive and strategic benefits of chess, and through a partnership with a parent who shares our vision for community empowerment, we saw an opportunity to introduce chess to our academy players and their siblings,” Chidzalo explained.
Read more: Edrei Mighty Warriors give young netballers a platform for exposure
The tournament will provide a platform for the players to explore new interests, enhance their critical thinking skills, and foster camaraderie among participants.
“We believe that this unique event will not only showcase the diverse talents within our academy but also promote a culture of inclusivity and lifelong learning.”
The tournament will feature prizes such as trophies, medals, and certificates for the winners. Netball teams and chess players who wish to participate can still affiliate.
The Chess and Netball Festival tournament promises to be a fantastic event that combines sports and mental agility.
Details: 071 105 6318 or 064 610 5459.
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