Chess federation secretary quits
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday August 13, 2022 06:00
Tingwane was the only serving member in the current executive committee from the previous administration that was led by Mothokomedi Thabano.
According to information reaching this publication, the secretary-general has never gelled with his new colleagues.
“He is a hard worker and it seems like this time around he met a different set-up. He was active when it came to issues of sponsorships and leading the national team during international competitions,” a source said.
Tingwane was the team manager for the national team that competed at the just-ended FIDE Chess Olympiad that was held in India. “Parents trusted him with their children. But now this move is going to create a vacuum in chess leadership,” the source continued.
Tingwane told Mmegi Sport that he felt that his time was up. When pressed further, Tingwane said he felt tired and nothing was pushing him to perform. The term of office for the committee ends in 2025. “There is too much individualism in the committee.
I have not yet submitted my resignation letter to the leadership,” he said. Tingwane was first elected into office in 2017 and the past elections he was unopposed. He had been Team Botswana's manager since 2017 until his recent resignation.
He is a FIDE arbiter, FIDE development instructor, and Zone 4.5 events and publicity committee member. BCF president, Mooketsi Segaise told Mmegi Sport that he was unaware of Tingwane’s resignation.
“That is news to me. I have not received any communication in whatever form from him.
I hope what you may have heard were just mere allegations and I hope they remain as such,” he said. Segaise said if that was indeed to happen then they would deal with the issue. Meanwhile, the FIDE Chess Olympiad has ended in Chennai, India with the men’s team finishing in position three in their category. Tingwane said only gold medalists were recognised.
“Gomolemo Rongwane attained FIDE Master title. For a direct title to be awarded immediately an applicant has to have achieved at some stage a minimum rating of 2100 and he did that. The same applies to Bojosi Sabure for his Candidate Master (CM) title,” he said. Botswana was initially seeded number 113 and finished in position 100.
In the women’s section, the country was in position 88 and finished in position 101. Tingwane said Ruth Otisitswe has been awarded the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title conditionally, as she performed well reaching a minimum rating of 1800.