Malawi lose African Draughts Championship hosting rights
Association of Draughts in Malawi (Adma) has lost rights to host the inaugural African Draughts Championships after failing to present its initial K4 million budget to the International Draughts Federation (IDF).
The rights have since been given to Zambia, who will host the event from July 22 to 27 at Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka.
Nevertheless, Adma general secretary Suzgo Nkhoma has asked well-wishers to help them with K800 000 to send the country’s five representatives to the continental showpiece in the neighboring country.
“We have failed to host the event, but it would be a shame if we also fail to be represented at the competition. Moreover, we risk facing international ban if we do not send an ambassador. We, therefore, ask well-wishers to help us in this regard,” Nkhoma said.
Currently, he said they are scrutinising the country’s top-ten players to identify the best five players to carry the country’s flag in Zambia.
Enock Makoka Banda, who earned the master title at the World Championships in Russia last year, will be assessed alongside Madalitso Thom, Jalasi Matiyasi, Zalimba Chingoni, Ganizani Majawa, Moses Wines, Nelson Nguluwe, Richard Mataka, Chikondi Matope and Lucius Kholowa.
Malawi was selected to host the 2016 African Draughts Championships following the outstanding performance of the country’s sole representative Makoka-Banda at the 2015 World Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he emerged as the best African player.
“The failure to host the continental showpiece is a big blow for us because we could sell the sport to the corporate world and raise awareness about the importance of the game in the country,” said Makoka-Banda. n
