SHARPEVILLE. – Mothakama, a grade 4 learner from Matsie Steyn Primary School says her love for chess started in grade 3 when she was introduced to the sport by her sister’s soccer coach Tshidiso Chaka.

“He is the one who introduced me to chess and even started giving me lessons on how to play it. I realised that my love for it was growing bigger and bigger.

“I have competed with other kids from various school including those in Pretoria.

Mothakama says after training for two months she was ready to compete with her peers.

“Chess helps me with mathematics and discipline. I would like to encourage other kids to play sports as it can teach one a lot of things.”

Mother Nthabiseng Mothakama says, “I was shocked when my daughter told us that she is going to start playing Chess because I thought it is an older person’s sport. Her coach however said he believed in her as she was eager to learn and seemed to take an interest in the sport.”

Morwesi says she would like to see herself playing in other provinces and ultimately going national with the Chess sport.

“My goal is to make a career out of this sport. My parents are very supportive of my dream and they want me to make it.”