THE Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) says it is confident of winning medals after sending a strong squad to represent the country at the Africa Youth Chess Championships, which began yesterday in Uganda.
The tournament runs until May 23 and features players in the under-8 to under-18 categories from across the continent.
The Zimbabwe delegation includes a 23-member team comprising 13 girls and 10 boys.
Zimbabwe is aiming to improve its continental chess standing through a strengthened youth team at the Africa Youth Chess Championships, as officials express optimism about medal prospects and highlight growing national investment in school-based chess development.
ZCF president Todd Mapingire said the federation is hopeful of improved performance at this year’s competition.
“Among the team, we have two players who have participated in previous tournaments, and we are hopeful that Zimbabwe will produce more medals than before,” he said.
“We have developed quite a few players who are now outstanding in chess.”
Mapingire acknowledged partners supporting the team’s participation, including government institutions and private sponsors.
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“The usual partners we have always had are the Ministry of Sport, which always clears up all requests on time, and the Sports and Recreation Commission,” he said.
“We also have other individual partners like WestProp, funding some of the kids who are going. We also reached out to schools that have assisted with welfare for travel to Uganda.”
Mapingire also singled out Minerva as the federation’s platinum sponsor, noting that it has consistently supported the development of chess in Zimbabwe.
National Association of Primary and Secondary School Heads Midlands vice-chairperson Tongesai Munyere said preparations for the tournament had been thorough.
“We have prepared enough for this competition. We have held enough competitions to select the real representatives for this delegation,” he said.
“As of now, chess is no longer a minority sport code; it is a major sport code in Zimbabwe. All schools across provinces are now competing in chess, unlike before when participation was largely limited to athletics and ball games.”
The continental championships bring together youth players from across Africa in various age categories.
