Online Reporter
Tendai Chara-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE will use the African Youth Chess Championships in Harare from December 6 -14 to showcase the country’s prosperity and stability, an official has said.
The AYCC is a Chess World Cup qualifier and is expected to attract over 2 000 delegates from more than 35 African countries.
Todd Mapingire, the president of the Zimbabwe Chess Federation, said hosting the event means that Africa is confident that the country is capable of successfully organising such a big event. “As the local chess federation, we are excited to host such an important event. The country will use the tournament to showcase its infrastructure and the peaceful environment,” Mapingire said.
“No country would be given the right to host such an event when it is unstable.”
As hosts, Zimbabwe will have the biggest number of players, with 200 of them having so far registered.
Mapingire is confident that a number of local players such as Mya Mbanje, Prosper Matyire and the Chimboza siblings, Elizabeth and Henry, can hold their own.
“I am sure that a number of our players are going to surprise us and get to the podium.”
The recent participation by some of the local players in international tournaments in Kazakhstan will, according to Mapingire, boost morale and work in the hosting nation’s favour.
“In the past, some of our players were afraid of playing against (Europeans and Americans). We also have players from other countries who are naturally bigger than us.”
“Some of our players often got intimidated and they ended up losing.”
