Story by Tichaona Kurewa
ZIMBABWE’S bid to position Victoria Falls as a prime sports tourism destination has received a major boost following an announcement that the resort city will host the 16th edition of the African Youth Chess Championship this December.
Titled “Song Unburied”, the production confronts the colonial-era looting of sacred artefacts and ancestral remains.
“The African Chess Confederation is thrilled to announce that Zimbabwe has been confirmed as the host nation for the 2025 African Youth Chess Championships. The event will take place from December 5 to 13, in the beautiful city of Victoria Falls, one of Africa’s most iconic destinations. We look forward to welcoming eager players from across the continent,” African Chess Confederation president, Ms Tshepiso Lopang said.
“Our mother body is in favour of Victoria Falls due to its proximity to many countries within SADC. Remember, it shares a border with Zambia and Namibia, and Botswana. So its centrality actually gives an advantage to all these countries that they will be almost travelling within home. So a few distance away from Victoria Falls,” Zimbabwe Chess Federation president, Todd Mapingire added.
The announcement has been met with excitement by the Victoria Falls Chess Academy and local chess enthusiasts.
“This is a clear endorsement that Zimbabwe is doing well in terms of both administration and performance in the game of chess. It further strengthens Victoria Falls’ growing reputation as a sport tourism destination,” Victoria Falls Chess Academy founder, Dr Mercy Mushangwe said.
Victoria Falls continues to position itself as a premier host city for major sporting events, with ambitions comparable to Las Vegas in the United States and Dubai in the UAE.
