National Under-17 chess team enters residential camp

CHESS:  The Kenya national Under-17 chess team was yesterday expected to converge in Nairobi to kick-off an intensive residential training camp in preparation for the upcoming 2021 Africa Individual Schools Chess Championship finals. 

The 42-member squad, which is under the tutelage of the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) instructor Benjamin Magana (head coach), assisted national arbiterwill camp at Pride Inn Hotel, Nairobi.

Chess Kenya president Bernard Wanjala said in a statement that being the host Kenya has, with the assistance of regional coordinators, decided to include players who were eliminated at different stages of qualifiers to enter the tournament as self-sponsored participants as part of the federation’s commitment to creating opportunities to train with the rest of the team as sparring partners.

“Chess Kenya will facilitate accommodation during the training period,” added Wanjala.

– Gibo Zachary

 only to enable them to have an easy time to concentrate to prepare as it will extend to late hours. In addition, they will be paid Sh7000 as support towards the training period,” Wanjala added

To ensure the continental championship becomes a success, Wanjala said Chess Kenya has also mapped out schools/participants that have been passionate supporters in chess activities have also been invited to take part in the competition and waived some registration fees for their loyal support of chess in schools.

“Chess Kenya would like to extend a waiver on part of the registration fee to regional players based on their results, and just like the additional players, they are equally offered an opportunity to train with the main team should they accept this offer by reporting no later than Wednesday 8th. Chess Kenya is still seeking sponsorship from different sources to offer more support to this category,” concluded Wanjala.