Chess in Cameroon

Cameroon: Israeli Ambassador Promotes Chess Game in Country

The Post (Buea)
14 September 2008
Posted to the web 15 September 2008

Leocadia Bongben

The Israeli Embassy has invested in the implantation of Chess as a sport in Cameroon through the co-organisation of the Yaounde Chess Open with the Association of Chess in Cameroon, ANJEC.

Avraham Nir, Isreali Ambassador to Cameroon who comes from a family of chess players has decided to promote the sport in Cameroon.The Ambassador comes from an area that has about two dozen chess clubs with one of the clubs having name of his uncle, FELDKLINE.

Avraham Nir, has a wealth of experience from which ANJEC will benefit from taking into recognition the fact that Israel have the second best chess player in the world and the President of the International Chess Federation is from Israel.

The ambassador is hopeful that with the experience and opportunities available, he would advocate for the affiliation of the ANJEC with the international body. He said with the chess Olympics schedules for November this year it is unfortunate that Cameroon cannot participate as it not yet a member of the international body.

He maintained that chess as a game of the brain, chess is much more than a game and a sport for it develops the personality, enables individuals to plan ahead and measure the consequences of their actions. He stated further that nothing is left to chance in the game.

According to the president of the ANJEC, Retired Colonel Nguele Viang, chess is the oldest sports with roots in the Greek tradition about two decades before Jesus Christ.

The game having two parts is either played in blitz. It could be short timing or longer for about three hours. The Sport is basically aimed at defending the king. At any time the king is not able to defend himself he is dead as the queen and the palace officials are supposed to defend him. The aim organising the Chess open was to vulgarise the sport and to exhibit the sport to officials to seek for recognition and affiliation with the Ministry of Sports.

At the end of the Yaounde Chess Open, dubbed TONY, Agbor John was the winner in the long category with seven points. He was offered a city phone with internet access. Agbor was followed by Mandeng Jacque, and Frank Noubissi Milice. In the category of blitz, Benjamin Balog was first.

Source: http://allafrica.com/