The Uganda Junior chess team has been flagged off for the African Schools Individual Chess Championships scheduled to take place in Harare, Zimbabwe between August 19 and 28.
At Jevine Hotel, Rubaga, the team that departs in the wee hours of Saturday for Zimbabwe was flagged off by International Master (IM) Elijah Emojong who was involved in a simultaneous with three players.
“It’s a good gesture from the federation sending such a huge number of kids to represent the country,” Emojong, a two time Olympian said. “It gives these youngsters the kind of exposure needed as they seek to improve on their game. I urge parents to always encourage and support their kids, and this should act as a motivating factor to other schools.” He added.
For the second time in a row, Uganda will be competing at the championships. The East Africans whose first appearance at the tourney came last year in Namibia have sent a total of 12 players including Kitty Joyce Mary Ndagizimana, a pupil at Bridge International Academies Uganda and Suubi Kiwanuka Lwangu [both aged seven] the youngest players in the team.
Eleven-year-old Maria Nakanyike and Mark Nyola Wasswa- who will play under the category of U-17 shall both captain the team that seeks to better their previous performance in the country’s point of view. .
John Vianney Mukalazi, one of the four coaches traveling with the team believes the country shall duly be represented as it sent the best team, and that the team will be aiming at the top three positions in each category
He said: “It’s been three weeks of constant and vigorous training. I believe the kids are well prepared and ready to face the challenge. I’m confident that they are confident they will make the country proud.
“We are going to Zimbabwe not as mere participants, but we want to leave a mark which means we must compete for the top positions. It pleases me to know that these kids are confident they can bring the medals. We are also looking at gaining ratings which will also be a great achievement as none of our travelling kids is rated.”
The youngsters will look to register success in Zimbabwe, and the trio of Nakanyike, Ndagizimana and Vincent Buwule shall specially be looked at for medals in their respective age categories.
Travelling team
Suubi Kiwanuka Lwanga
Kitty Joyce Mary Ndagizimana
Peace Noami Nabuyondo
Maria Nakanyike
Hamssadwane Sivakumar
Buak Joseph Mohame Lino
Victor Kanyike
Mark Nyola Wasswa
Suubi Kiwanuka
Patrick Elijah Muwanguzi
Paul Kevin Wasswa
Edwin Pido
Vincent Buwule [Official]
Muthukrishnan Bharathi [Official]
John Vianney Mukalazi [Official]
Sammy Sabayinda [Official]
Simon Gonza [Official]
Emmanuel Mwaka [Official]
