BetXplosion Brings National Chess Championships Back to Life

Sunday Standard

BetXplosion Brings National Chess Championships Back to Life

A palpable sense of excitement is engulfing the local chess landscape ahead of the 2026 National Chess Championship.

This past Thursday, the BCF revealed BetXplosion as its new partner for its crown event, the national championships. The partnership comes with a whooping P160 000 sponsorship package.

BetXplosion’s arrival, which was met with excitement, now breathes new life into a tournament which for a moment seemed on the brink of death. And the chess family is feeling that new lease of life.

Immediately following the partnership reveal, an announcement was made that FIDE Master Ignatius Njobvu and Woman Grandmaster Tuduetso Sabure will be back for this year’s tournament.

As this was announced, excitement went a notch up, more especially among young chess prodigies Thuto Mpene and Laone Moshoboro, who were among guests. Moshoboro in particular was a picture to behold as she excitedly scanned the room as if searching for Sabure within the conference room.

An opportunity to see, or even perhaps duel with these once invincible local stars was an opportunity the youngsters seemingly yearned for. And BetXplosion was making that a reality. 

BetXplosion Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Kgomotso said their involvement is part of a greater plan to invest in the youth. It also seeks to make chess a sport where talented players can earn a living. 

“Bet Xplosion want to take the lead. The company is showing what businesses can do for the communities that they live in. Invest in the people that make our product shine. Invest in the young lives, because if we don’t invest in the future of our country, I don’t think we’ll get any far,” Kgomotso said.

The BetXplosion CEO said they intended to ease some of the federation’s financial burden and create opportunities for young players to compete at the highest level. He said chess must become a viable professional career where players could earn a living just as athletes in other sporting codes do.

Botswana Chess Federation president Jady Tatolo described the partnership as more than just financial support. It is a strategic partnership that will help the federation implement a lasting development plan. 

Botswana National Sport Commission Sport Development Director Peaceful Seleka welcomed the partnership, saying government alone cannot fund the growth of sport and urging more companies to invest in national sporting associations.

He said the partnership between Bet Xplosion and the Botswana Chess Federation demonstrates the positive impact that can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together to develop sport and nurture future champions.

Seleka reiterated that BetXplosion’s investment in chess extended beyond competition. He described it as ‘an investment in the youth, education, talent development and the future of this country.’

Meanwhile, the National Chess Championships will take place at Livingstone Kolobeng College in Gaborone from the 17^th to the 21^st of July 2026. In a marked departure from the past years, there will be no preliminary rounds for the National Championships. Under the new format, all players will battle it out for the title over the three-days of the tournament. 

The post BetXplosion Brings National Chess Championships Back to Life first appeared on Sunday Standard and is written by Oratile Otsetswe