Story by Mthokozisi Dube
ZIMBABWE is set to host the 16th edition of the Africa Junior Chess Championship in Harare from December 6 to 14, further cementing its growing reputation as a destination of choice for international sporting events.
The tournament, which is being hosted by Zimbabwe for the second time, will see young players from across the continent competing in the Under8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 categories for both boys and girls.
Matches will be staged at Cresta Lodge, with international titles and awards up for grabs.
Zimbabwe Chess Federation President, Mr Todd Mapingire, said preparations are in full swing to deliver a world-class event.
“The championships will be held at Cresta Lodge in Harare and we are expecting a huge crowd for this occasion. It is a privilege to actually host this event as we last hosted in 2017, and to actually come back to Zimbabwe after a period of almost eight years is a privilege, there are 54 countries in Africa, and hosting is normally done on a rotational basis,” Mapingire said.
The coming in of the pinnacle chess extravaganza is an opportunity for budding local players to challenge for honours on home soil.
“When we attend these tournaments, it is costly and so hosting this championship gives our local players an edge to challenge for honours,” Mapingire said.
The African junior chess championship is a qualifier for the World Chess Championship.
Meanwhile, five chess players left Harare for Kazakhstan this Wednesday ahead of the World Cadets Championship, which gets underway this Thursday.
