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Takudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Prison Services, in conjunction with Zimbabwe Chess Federation, will host the Behind the Walls Chess tournament at Harare Central Prison, tomorrow.
The event is for inmates to have the privilege of competing with invited guest players. Chess is being used as a rehabilitation tool, in many prisons across the globe, as it challenges its practitioners to think, and weigh various possible outcomes, before carrying out a particular action.
Former World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov, once stated, “chess mimics life.”
ZCF social director, Cosman Dongo, said it was part of their mandate to take chess, and all its benefits, to all Zimbabweans, irrespective of their places, in life.
“As the Zimbabwe Chess Federation, it is our mandate to take chess, and its benefits, to all Zimbabweans, no matter their sphere of life.
”We have not forgotten our brothers, and sisters behind the walls, which is the reason why we have this tournament on our annual calendar.
“We want them to know that they may be physically confined, but they must not let their minds be confined too.
“Chess can teach them to imagine, and think further than their current circumstances, and focus on the future, rather than the past,” said Dongo.
ZCF secretary-general, Todd Mapingire, said they were happy with the tournament and called on partners to come on board, for this good cause.
“Inmates shall win prizes, in the form of hampers, and anyone willing to partner with ZCF and ZPS, in contributing towards this event, is welcome to do so.
”Many life lessons, values and principles can be drawn from this ancient game. It is a game that instils discipline, pro-activeness and grit. It is a game that sharpens the intellect and cultivates imagination.
“We cannot do this work on our own and we invite individuals, corporates and other organisations to join us, in making this tournament bigger and bigger, by each passing year.
“Due to limited tournament slots, only invited ZCF affiliate players will have the privilege to participate in the Behind the Wall Chess Tournament 2021 edition.
“There shall be special prizes, for guest players and prison officials, as well,” said Mapingire.
Online Reporter