The Wits Chess club hosted the Wits Blitz Open tournament on Saturday to officially launch their partnership with Donate-A-Piece.
CHECKMATE: Former Wits Chess Club member and Donate-A-Piece ambassador, Denis Ovcina (left) give the new garden chess board at Wits University a try. Photo: Litaletu Zidepa
Wits University is hoping to increase the number of chess players in its local club through the launch of a new outdoor garden chess board.
The new board was launched together with a partnership with Donate-A-Piece at a tournament at the main campus on Saturday.
Tebogo Rabothata, Wits Sports Officer for the Chess club said: “I am so grateful for the opportunity that Donate-A-Piece has given us, I am looking forward to having a great partnership with them.” The organisation is a aimed at increasing participation in the sport and will sponsor the Wits Chess Warriors in their 2015 USSA (University Sports South Africa), campaign this year.
Former Wits Chess Club chairperson, Zweli Mabaso said the club was identified as a potential partner by Donate-A-Piece as a result of its strong performance.
South African cricketer and Donate-A- Piece ambassador Temba Bavuma, told Wits Vuvuzela that “If you look at Wits itself, it has the perfect platform to launch a campaign like this. This will enable a reach of a variety of people and I think it’s a perfect platform to spread the awareness around chess.”
WINNER: First-year BComm PPE student, Matt Pon, was among the winners at the Wits Blitz Tournament, coming in at second place. Photo: Litaletu Zidepa
The Donate-A-Piece Wits Blitz Open tournament winner Rodwell Maketo took home R1200, while first-year BCom PPE student, Matt Pon won R900. Jefferey Mthetho finished in third place.
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