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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Chess Federation in conjunction with the National Association of School Heads and Sports Commission yesterday managed to send a strong 30-member delegation for this year’s Under-18 Africa Youth Chess Championship in Cairo, Egypt.
The team,, which had a send-off ceremony at ZCF offices at Joina City before their departure is made up of both boys and girls who qualified during the national schools’ chess leagues and through some academies.
Speaking ahead of their departure ZCF secretary general Todd Mapingire said they are happy that they have managed to send a team at this year’s tournament which runs from today until September 9.
Mapingire said they are hopeful the representatives will do well in the championships and bring back home some medals.
“We are happy to be saying farewell to you as you leave for the 2023 Africa Youth Chess Championships to be held in Cairo, Egypt. As you leave it is good that you are now our ambassadors and you are now representing the nation Zimbabwe.
“We are looking forward to see you return home with medals and once you are in Egypt you are one team that is Zimbabwe and you are a family. There is now need for unit, discipline and punctuality when you are out there. By having your national colours and wearing this green jacket it means you have developed into players whom we have faith in.
“There is need to cheer each other in ups and down and that will give us some confidence as a team,” said Mapingire.
Head of delegation Denver Mazambani said they are looking forward to a successful tour and is hopeful that they will do well in the tournament.
“We are grateful to those who made this trip a success and we are going to do our best as a team. We have good players who are capable of doing well as playing in the national team shows that there is a lot of potential in you and we are confident that we will bring home some medals.
“We are happy for the parents who gave the players the opportunity to be part of this tour as this will help improve the players’ confidence in future. Playing at such a high level gives players exposure and that will help us to identify some future masters,” said Mazambani.
Team
Rumbidzai Mawire, Ropafadzo Gwatidzo, Maitaishe Mangwende, Mary Chipidza, Mya Mbanje, Makanaka Chiwara, Eryna Jane, Princess Eleanor Ncube, Emanuel Zivambiso, Taonashe Henry Chimbodza, Grace Zvarebwa, Patricia Madziva, Myles Mbanje, Izile Ndebele, Natalie Aisha Chikoko, Lynne Simango, Mellisa Kambezo, Danmore Mashava, Amith Boddapati, Takunda Maxen, Tawananyasha Mawire, Thandazani Mushore, Benenkosi Ndiweni, Alms Machengeto.
Officials
Denver Mazambani (HOD), Phyliss Shamuyarira (NASH Rep), Mercy Mushangwe (national arbiter), Lewis Kahoba (coach), Kudakwashe Mukundwa (coach), Lawrence Tavagwisa (coach), Godknows Dembure (coach
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