Chessam PIS targets schools
Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) has dedicated the 2018 edition of the Presidential Initiative on Sports (PIS) tournament to schools as a way of promoting the mental sport.
Chessam spokesperson Makhosi Nyirenda yesterday said a decision was made after the body’s PIS organising committee discussed and agreed.
“We hope to unearth talent through this event. We have noted overwhelming interest in chess from schools, a development that might help us build a strong foundation and produce future stars,” he said.
National chess coordinator Magret Ngugama said the individual competition will start with regional qualifiers on May 5 and the national finals are scheduled for May 12.
She said the contest will be competed in six categories, namely, open and ladies (below 18 years old), Under-16 boys and girls and Under-12 boys and girls.
Said Ngugama: “Under-12 and 16 categories have been designed to to be a platform for selecting the country’s representatives at the Zone 4.3 Championship in December. As hosts of the international event, we are set to build two teams.”