The 2015 African Youth Chess Championship is taking place from 5th to 13th December at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lusaka, Zambia.
About 260 kids from 14 countries are taking part in the competition. Nearly 500 guests in total make this event a memorable one in the history of chess in Africa.
The opening ceremony of African Youth Chess Championship 2015 was held in the presence of the Zambian Minister of Youth and Sports, the Deputy-Minister of Health and Patron of the event, the President of African Chess Confederation, Zambian Olympic Committee members, Zambian National Sports Council members, the President of Zambia Chess Federation, the Ambassadors of participating countries and more than 250 kids and parents.
After the different welcome speeches, the Patron of the event, Deputy-Minister of Health played a blitz match against the highest rated participant, an IM from Egypt, and the competition has been declared open by the Minister of Youth and Sports.
Social media: facebook (African Youth Chess Championship 2015) and twitter (hashtag #AYCC2015)
I am very happy to see chess being hosted in Zambia- the Southern African nation. But for the game to move forward and to help the players, the organisers, Administrators and managers of the game needs to think inside out and market the game commercially. Many kids want to take part but due to limiting costs, chess remains luxury and limited to the few with financial abilities. We can not match our friends in other nations because of these inadequacies. And it seems much has not been preached to the Governments as they are louder and closer when other games like soccer, rugby, Volleyball are at play. Journalists also find it disenchanting to cover many chess games.
It is the time to preach the msg. and it is the time for pioneers to align themselves with companies, educationists and all individuals interested in supporting the game. Good lucky to all our kids, let chess grow as a learning aid and tool in school then we shall grow. Congrats to Zimbabwe the number of participants is encouraging and good luck Roger Tiroyamodimo and team Botswana.
Charles
I am very happy to see chess being hosted in Zambia- the Southern African nation. But for the game to move forward and to help the players, the organisers, Administrators and managers of the game needs to think inside out and market the game commercially. Many kids want to take part but due to limiting costs, chess remains luxury and limited to the few with financial abilities. We can not match our friends in other nations because of these inadequacies. And it seems much has not been preached to the Governments as they are louder and closer when other crowd pulling games like soccer, rugby, Volleyball are at play. Journalists also find it disenchanting to cover many chess games.
It is the time to preach the msg. and it is the time for pioneers to align themselves with companies, educationists and all individuals interested in supporting the game. Good luck to all our kids, let chess grow as a learning aid and tool in schools. Congrats to Zimbabwe the number of participants is encouraging and good luck Roger Tiroyamodimo and team Botswana.
Charles