EVATON.- The   Emfuleni Vaal Chess Association launched its pilot project to use libraries to teach Chess lessons this week.

This pilot project kicked start at Evaton Library on Mandela’s Day with Emfuleni Vaal Chess Association hard at work teaching the learners how to play this sport. This was after Emfuleni Vaal Chess Association engaged Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) to utilise libraries as part of their pilot projects.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Emfuleni Vaal Chess Association President, Lefu Lepota, said that he is delighted after they reached a consensus with ELM Libraries management to host Evaton Library Chess Club on Mandela Day.

This launch formed part of celebrating Mandela’s Day as well as making awareness of the international World Chess Day which is celebrated every year on 20 July.  This launch saw the school learners competing against each other under the following categories, u/11, u/13, and u/15.

The good performers were honoured at the end of the event to encourage them to keep doing well and explore their talent. The learners who attended this launch were from the following schools, Kgutlo-Tharo Secondary School, Jordaan Secondary School, Tshepo-Themba Secondary School, Esokwazi Secondary School, Kitso Primary School, and some schools from town.

Lepota hailed the launch as a success to launch their first-ever library pilot projects at Evaton Library. Lepota also told Sedibeng Ster Sport that they had speakers who addressed these learners about Mandela Day among other things.

“This was the first pilot project we launch here at Evaton Library and it was a very informative lesson for those school learners who attended the launch. Chess is more than a sport as it can also be used to teach learners how to be focused, disciplined, and decision making.

The learners went home motivated because what they learned on the day was very important for them, to know their history and heritage. We want to utilise the libraries in the communities to teach chess,” concluded Lepota.