Uganda eyes medals at FIDE para chess Olympiad

Uganda is targeting a strong medal haul at the third FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities, which got underway in Uzbekistan on Thursday.

The Ugandan team of para chess players travelled on Wednesday to compete at the championship, organised by the International Chess Federation in partnership with the Uzbekistan Chess Federation.

The tournament is expected to attract more than 40 nations and will run until Thursday next week, giving Uganda an opportunity to test its growing strength in para chess against some of the world's best players.

Uganda Chess Federation president Andrew Bakiza is confident the team can return home with medals, citing the players' competitive selection process and recent success at continental level.

"The selection process was competitive and we came up with the best players. This year we have more than five golds at the continental level. Our team is competitive and we are hoping for more medals," Bakiza said.

Bakiza said the players were selected after a competitive process, with the federation keen to send a team capable of challenging for honours.

For the players, preparations have also provided confidence ahead of the competition.

Participant Ezekiel Masiko said the team has benefited from two months of intensive training, particularly through tactical lessons from their coaches.

The players were officially flagged off at the National Council of Sports (NCS) offices in Lugogo by assistant general secretary in charge of technical matters, Milton Chebet.

Chebet encouraged the team to compete with determination and represent Uganda with pride on the international stage.

The federation hopes that the experience in Uzbekistan will translate into medals and further exposure for players with disabilities.

The championship will provide Uganda's players with a major test of their skills and an opportunity to showcase the progress made during their preparations.