Motherwell Draughts Club are preparing themselves for the provincial championships that will take place in King Williams Town soon.

The date is yet to be announced.

Motherwell Draughts Club secretary, Fikile Koba, indicated that during the provincial championships only the five best players will represent the province of the Eastern Cape during the national championships in Gauteng, in October.

Koba told PE Express that the five best players selected during the national championships will qualify to play in the world games that will be announced as well.

Fezile Manene, the executive member of Motherwell Warriors Draughts Club and the Nelson Mandela Bay Draughts Association, said that their club are working around the clock so that it can be represented in the national team that will compete with the world draughts stars.

When Koba was asked the motive behind forming the draughts club, he said that draughts is a game of logic.

“Checkers is the game of logic. It helps the individuals to be able to solve problems and also it helps the players to be intelligent and be able to defend themselves,” said Koba. “Above all, it is a game that is played by gentlemen. We look forward to forming a ladies’ draughts club.”

“The advantages of playing checkers are that it builds the confidence of the individuals, it helps the players to be patient and it keeps the players’ brain fit,” added Manene.

“It also helps the players to concentrate and that helps to be able to achieve more in everyday life-situations. It also refreshes the memory of the individual. It is not a sport played by drunkards as some people believe.”

Motherwell Warriors Draughts Club chairman, Siphiwo Tsewu, said that their club was formed in January this year, with the aim of introducing the checkers as a sport to the community of Motherwell.