Uganda Chess youngsters seek sponsorship for Africa Championship

In a bid to boost the number of FIDE titles held by Uganda junior players, the Uganda Chess Federation is planning to field a strong team of 30 players at the 2018 African Youth Chess Championships in Kisumu-Kenya, August 11 to 19.

But like always is the case, not all parents of these talented youngsters can afford to sponsor their children to such events and have depended on well-wishers and the corporate world for sponsorships.

Unless someone comes to their rescue, players such as Africa's second best player in the U-12 Kevin Ndagire, long time national under 8  champions Kitty Ndagizimana and Elijah Muwanguzi in the under 10, risk missing out on the tournament and the Candidate Master, Fide Master and International Master titles.

Jacob Kairu and Gloria Nansubuga are primed to scoop the titles to join the likes of FIDE Woman Candidate Masters Peace Nabuyondo and Maria Nakanyike who claimed the titles after participating in an Africa Schools Individuals event in Zimbabwe last year, but only if they can raise sh2.8m each which is the cost for entry fees, registration and accommodation, per person at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel, Kisumu.

Other players that could miss out due to lack of funding include Marianna Namutebi and Natalia Nakazzi in the under 8, Zuri Tatiina, Scarlet Murungi, Arthur Mwase and Shiloh Tandeka in the under 10 category.

The under 12, u-14 and u-18 categories have Simon Lubega, Mathew Mwase, Mary Kevin Ndagire, Jacob Mugisha, Daniel Dokoria and Shabiba Amapaire who together with their coaches John Mukalazi, Simon Gonza, Farouk Fauza and Ivan Mugisha require over sh60m to be able to represent the country at the eight-day championship that has attracted Africa's cream in chess.

"We call on the general public to support us because currently we have a strong team and we are currently ranked 8th in Africa and with more wins we shall be able to improve our ranking. This is also the first tournament where we already have two seeded players in the under-12 which we lead so the chances of winning more titles are high," Coach John Mukalazi reasoned.

All payments for any of the players can be banked at the Cooperative Bank of Kenya, Upperhill Branch Code 037 under the account name; Chess Kenya, Account No. 01134162629400, swif code: KCOOKENA.

The prestigious event has attracted nine African countries including Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Algeria and Somalia.