Close Menu
    Saturday, November 1
    ABSLive
    Sports

    Chess Star Shreeya Mahadeo Appeals for Sponsors to Support Her Commonwealth Chess Champs Dream

    Prudence MakogeBy No Comments11 Mins Read
    Chess Star Shreeya Mahadeo Appeals for Sponsors to Support Her Commonwealth Chess Champs Dream


    Shreeya Mahadeo is hoping she is able to take part in the Commonwealth Chess Championships, where she will represent South Africa in Kuala Lumpur from 8 to 17 November 2025. 

    The 15-year-old chess sensation is currently crowd-funding for her trip as she looks to continue building her winning form on the international stage.

    Mahadeo shared how much representing her country means to her, as well as to her parents, who have demonstrated dedication in supporting the Durban Girls College Grade 10 scholar’s chess career. 

    She adds that watching other youngsters compete internationally has fuelled her own ambition, and she promises to make the country proud if she is able to attend the event.

    “Your biggest fear and opponent will always be looking back at you in the mirror.” Durban Girls College scholar Shreeya Mahadeo channels her discipline and dedication.

    Off the chessboard, Mahadeo excels in school academics, and she enjoys reading, sketching, painting, and drawing. She also makes time to exercise, play with her pet golden retriever Ziggy, watch anime series, and test her reflexes on her favourite PlayStation game. 

    At school, her extracurricular activities include Marimba, Art and Film Club, Photography Club, Entrepreneur Club, Culture Kudos, and Squash.

    Thank you so much for chatting to us, Shreeya. Firstly, how did you get into chess?

    I have always had a curiosity and affinity for puzzles, art, and problem-solving. I started playing competitively in 2018 at the age of seven and quickly became one of the best players in my age group, in KZN and South Africa. 

    “I am extremely disciplined and dedicated, and I also put in a huge amount of time training and practising. Weekends are set aside for tournaments.”

    Durban Girls College Grade 10 Scholar, Shreeya Mahadeo

    I have a vision and goal of representing SA at major international events such as the World Chess Olympiad.

    In any chess game, it is all about being in the moment and deciding from there. Therefore, you prepare for any outcome. Tournament preparation is done beforehand, and then you play the game and your opponent. Your biggest fear and opponent will always be looking back at you in the mirror.

    What is it about chess that makes you love the sport?

    My chess journey started as I grew from a seven-year-old ballerina picking up a chess pawn for the first time to becoming a Chess SA Woman Regional Master and one of KZN’s top female players in my age group. 

    My parents are my biggest supporters; they chauffeur me to countless weekend tournaments and are my sounding board after both triumphs and tough losses.

    Chess has enhanced my strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, especially in academics. It has also enabled me to make new friends with the same interests and goals. It pushes me to go above and beyond what I am capable of as a person. 

    I know that with discipline and consistency, I can reach even greater heights. It is like a finger pointing away to the moon. Don’t concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory.

    You are currently looking to secure funding for your trip to the Chess Commonwealth Games. What has the process been like?

    My current preparations involve juggling exam studies, chess practice, and helping my parents with fundraising. We recently held a biryani sale in our local community to raise money for flights and accommodation.

    Sometimes, even when tired, I have to wake up early and push through. The fundraising process has been difficult, but also a learning experience. We sent multiple emails, WhatsApp messages, and posters, and even approached stores at local malls for sponsorships. 

    The BackaBuddy platform has been easy to use. This is our first campaign and the support team has always been ready to assist with queries and responses. It was efficient to get the campaign launched and verified. The donate feature is simple and innovative, and the link can be shared on any email or social platform.

    What does it mean to you, to represent your nation?

    Representing South Africa internationally means a great deal to me, my family, school, community, and as a young female chess player. For me, it means standing on the world stage and saying that South African chess players – and especially young women – are a force to be reckoned with.

    I have always wanted to travel internationally for a chess tournament, and I have seen other kids achieving this goal. But it always feels like an elusive dream, just within reach but unable to grasp it. 

    “This time, my parents and I are going to achieve this goal. It means being able to learn and experience more about the other countries and their levels of chess and culture.”

    It means a lot to me because I can hold my country’s flag high knowing that I am playing for them and myself, my family, school, and community. And I am going to make them proud!

    Does your Chess South Africa assist you when it comes to funding?

    Unfortunately, not. Chess parents are usually the ones responsible for the financial and logistical aspects in terms of local, national, and international chess tournaments. 

    Your BackaBuddy campaign looks pretty successful – Is funding difficult to secure?

    My consistent local and national performances earned me a place on Team South Africa for several international events over the years. Unfortunately, these tournaments were missed due to a lack of funding and financial constraints, etc.

    Now, I have the chance to officially represent South Africa and KZN at upcoming tournaments in November and December. With my BackaBuddy campaign, I hope the community can help me on my chess journey to Kuala Lumpur.

    Shreeya Mahadeo was recently named Junior Female Chess Player of the Year at the 2025 KZN Annual Chess Awards.
    Shreeya Mahadeo was recently named Junior Female Chess Player of the Year at the 2025 KZN Annual Chess Awards.

    It is always important to focus on the positives even when times are tough and all seems lost. Sometimes disappointment is growth, and this makes you a better chess player and person overall. Every setback is what sharpens the mind and fortifies the spirit.

    What message do you have for those who might wish to sponsor/fund this trip?

    We are humbly reaching out to individuals and organisations to help make my dream a reality. Any contribution, no matter how small, would be deeply appreciated and would directly help me proudly represent our country. Thank you for your time and for considering our request, and I hope you can help me on my journey to Kuala Lumpur.

    Are there many young girls taking part in chess in South Africa?

    Yes. For example, at the 2025 Commonwealth Chess Championships, there will be approximately 20 female South African representatives across the age categories.

    On a personal front, in August, which is also Women’s Month, I won the Junior Female Chess Player of the Year at the 2025 KZN Annual Chess Awards, and it was a powerful tribute to the courage and strength of women who fought for a more just and equal society. I am honoured, humbled, and grateful to be recognised for my achievements, especially as a young female chess player.

    I have come a very long way with a lot of challenges and obstacles on the way, and the message I have for other young girls is that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. 

    “I have worked hard, so an opportunity like this could have materialised and been celebrated in order to have my achievements acknowledged, and so can you.”

    As young women and girls in South Africa, we must learn to shield our abilities with absolute self-belief. Let no voice from the outside ever overpower the certainty you hold within.

    Who are your female role models who inspire you in life as well as in chess?

    My mum, Sash, will be accompanying me to the Commonwealth Chess Championships. She is my support, my backbone, and my cheering squad. She waits for me after each game at every tournament. She is always there to wipe my tears away after a brutal match or tough defeat and encourages me to pick myself up and push forward.

    When she's not at the board, Shreeya Mahadeo enjoys reading, sketching, anime, and spending time with her golden retriever, Ziggy.
    When she’s not at the board, Shreeya Mahadeo enjoys reading, sketching, anime, and spending time with her golden retriever, Ziggy.

    My mum is like my chess manager, making sure I eat on time, drink lots of water, and get enough sleep to rejuvenate the mind. A chess tournament is like a marathon, not a sprint. It is always how you finish, not how you start. But a good start always helps.

    My role model in life is myself in ten years. That is the person I chase and strive to be every single day. That’s why I give an extra 10%, when the odds are stacked against you. And when I finally reach that person, in 10 years or quicker, my role model in life then becomes myself in another 10 years.

    What are your career aspirations when it comes to chess?

    My immediate ambition is to represent South Africa in the Commonwealth Chess Championships in Kuala Lumpur. 

    Other upcoming tournaments include the African Youth Chess Championship (Reserve) in Zimbabwe, the 2025 Mzansi Inter-Provincial Youth Chess Championship at the Boardwalk Sun International Conference Centre in Gqeberha from 14th December to 17th December.

    I currently hold the Chess SA Women’s Regional Master title, and I definitely want to continue to achieve greater women’s titles in chess. This is something that I will need to work on by continuing to play games nationally and internationally. I would like to see myself one day be a Women’s FIDE Master or Grandmaster.

    Main Photo Caption: South Africa’s rising chess star, Shreeya Mahadeo, is crowd-funding to secure her spot at the Commonwealth Chess Championships in Kuala Lumpur this November. Help her represent Mzansi on the international stage! All Photos: Supplied

    Photo 2 Caption: “Your biggest fear and opponent will always be looking back at you in the mirror.” Durban Girls College scholar Shreeya Mahadeo channels her discipline and dedication.

    Photo 3 Caption: When she’s not at the board, Shreeya Mahadeo enjoys reading, sketching, anime, and spending time with her golden retriever, Ziggy.

    Photo 4 Caption: Shreeya Mahadeo was recently named Junior Female Chess Player of the Year at the 2025 KZN Annual Chess Awards.



    Source link

    Post Views: 21
    Share.

    Related Posts

    Leave A Reply