Call for chess tourney sponsorship

Lenos Madzikatire Sports Correspondent
THE National Association of Secondary Heads (Chess) has started preparations for the Africa Youth Chess Championships to be held in Livingstone, Zambia by extended its begging bowl to individuals and stakeholders to come aboard with assistance and enable the players to have a successful outing.

In an interview recently, the NASH Head-in-charge for chess, Idah Moyo, said there was need for extensive preparations and consistent source funding if ever Team Zimbabwe hopes to excel in the championships which are scheduled for December.

In this year’s National Chess tournament held at Mutare Teachers’ College recently where Harare, provinces found themselves contributing for their own welfare and taking care of their own expenses.

“Although NASH chipped in, provinces had to source for own welfare, a situation that was not very healthy. The African Youth Chess Championships need proper funding and we are already working on sourcing funds and resources to make the trip a successful one. It will be beautiful if we can find a sponsor in time. Players need to get proper documentation like passports in time. Registration is three months before the event meaning that our house must be in order by September,” said Moyo.

She appealed to stakeholders to come aboard with sponsorship and make their quest successful. Zimbabwe will battle with other powerhouses in Africa that includes the hosts Zambia and South Africa.

Thirty players are set to represent the country in the international chess tournament scheduled to take place from December 5 to 14.

Manicaland will pin its hopes on its jewels Ngoni Kandimire (St Faith’s High School), Promise Mutigore (Chibuwe High School) and Irene Bene from Mt Selinda High School who are in the national team. They will compete in the Under-14 category.