Sports
Uganda sends four to FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship
The tournament, being hosted on African soil for the first time, brings together national school teams competing for qualification to the Grand Final scheduled for later in the year.
Ugandan chess players Trevor Tumukunde (left), Daniel Odokonyero, and Ronald Wabwire (right) pose with coach Patrick Mukasa at Entebbe Airport before they left for South Africa. (Courtesy photo)
By: Michael Nsubuga, Journalist @New Vision
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A team of four Ugandan chess players departed for South Africa on Monday morning to represent the country at the African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship, which will be held in Cape Town from July 6 to 11.
The tournament, being hosted on African soil for the first time, brings together national school teams competing for qualification to the Grand Final scheduled for later in the year.
The championship is part of the global “Year of Chess in Education” initiative organised by FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF).
The Ugandan squad comprises Ronald Wabwire, Daniel Odokonyero, Juliet Asaba and Trevor Tumukunde, all from Sr Miriam Duggan Primary School.
The players earned their places following strong performances at the Father Grimes National Schools Team Chess Championships and the Africa Youth Chess Championship, which Uganda hosted in Entebbe.
They will compete on different boards, with Wabwire playing on board one, Odokonyero on board two, Asaba on board three and Tumukunde on board four.
The players earned their places following strong performances at the Father Grimes National Schools Team Chess Championships and the Africa Youth Chess Championship, which Uganda hosted in Entebbe.
They will compete on different boards, with Wabwire playing on board one, Odokonyero on board two, Asaba on board three and Tumukunde on board four.
Team coach Patrick Mukasa expressed confidence in the squad, saying he expects strong results given their current form and continental ranking.
“We have taken a strong team; they are in good shape, and we expect positive results from them. We are the favourites, highly ranked in Africa. So, we are hopeful that we are going to win and make Uganda proud,” Mukasa said.
He explained that the selection was based on performances at the Father Grimes National Championship, noting that players from Sr Miriam Duggan Primary School stood out.
“Much as these kids are young, they are so good at chess,” Mukasa noted.
Mukasa also confirmed that the team’s participation has been supported by the Uganda Chess Federation, alongside contributions from well-wishers who have helped cover travel, accommodation and meals during the Cape Town tournament.
“We have taken a strong team; they are in good shape, and we expect positive results from them. We are the favourites, highly ranked in Africa. So, we are hopeful that we are going to win and make Uganda proud,” Mukasa said.
He explained that the selection was based on performances at the Father Grimes National Championship, noting that players from Sr Miriam Duggan Primary School stood out.
“Much as these kids are young, they are so good at chess,” Mukasa noted.
Mukasa also confirmed that the team’s participation has been supported by the Uganda Chess Federation, alongside contributions from well-wishers who have helped cover travel, accommodation and meals during the Cape Town tournament.