BCM’s youngest chess master off to nationals
Young star defies odds despite attending school in impoverished area
Eight-year-old Azo Maseti has defied the odds and will represent SA at the 2024 Youth Chess Championships from June 15-23 in Gauteng.
Azo joins the ranks of only a few former Border greats who have excelled at the game at such a young age and is the first from his school and community to do so.
He qualified for the nationals based on his exceptional performance at the SA Junior Closed Chess Championships earlier this month and will be competing at U8 level.
The young Fort Grey Public School pupil’s success is made more remarkable considering the school is situated in an impoverished area.
The school is in a dilapidated and overcrowded state and cater for children from impoverished families from Fort Grey, New Town, Bhongweni and Orange Grove. The school still relies on the corrugated metal classrooms originally built in 1952.
In 2021, the school partnered with
Rotary Club of East London to introduce several advancements to improve the quality of the infrastructure, education, and afterschool programmes at the school – one of which was chess.
Through the dedicated efforts of Rotary volunteers and Fort Grey teacher and chess coach, Khanyiso Petse, Azo’s talent was discovered when he was only six years old.
Since then he has been working towards achieving his dream of earning national colours, which may finally come true in June.
Petse said Azo’s greatest strength was his passion for the game and his level-headed maturity in the face of defeat.
He said: “Azo’s selection to represent South Africa is a milestone to me and a lifetime achievement.
“One thing he enjoys about chess is playing it regardless of the outcome.
“He is emotionally strong and he can deal with defeats.
“Last year, we had 30 learners playing chess in our school, but this year we have 110. Most of them are
from the foundation phase which shows the impact Azo’s achievements have had in motivating [his peers].
“The school’s enrolment also increased this year. Azo is a great example that even if you are born in a very disadvantaged background and from a very poor infrastructure school, through support, dedication, and
passion you can be a national player.” Border chess coach and administrator and owner of Vikings Chess Club, Ashley Vermaak, said Azo represented the wealth of talent in the Border region despite the challenges the sport faced including lack of funding for travelling to competitions and poor administration of the sport at national level. He said: “At the South African Junior Closed Chess Championships, our region was the highest represented in the province which is a testament to the quality of players we have.
“Our region has been led by players who have done what is needed to get players to the top of SA chess.
“Azo is a brilliant player who is following in the footsteps of many great players from Border Chess.
“The biggest threat to this sport is national politics which has robbed many players of opportunities over the last few years. We hope this year to defend our SA Junior championship title as our team won in 2022 by beating Tshwane and others [regions].”
Janet Young from Rotary EL said the club was proud of what Azo, Petse and the school had achieved over the last three years despite their circumstances.
Young said: “Azo is an outstanding example that talent is everywhere whatever the circumstances, so it needs to be recognised and nurtured. Our Rotary club is very proud to be able to help the children of these communities, our input benefits not only the children but their families as well.”
Rotary and the school are holding a donation drive to raise funds to pay for Azo’s travel costs to Gauteng. To help, contact 082-961-2763.