*CHESS FEDERATION ASKS FOR SUPPORT AHEAD OF 45TH CHESS OLYMPIAD*

Lusaka, Monday (April 8, 2024)
MEDIA STATEMENT 

Chess Federation of Zambia has called for increased support ahead of the 45th Chess Olympiad set for Hungary in September this year. 

Federation Disciplinary Chairperson, Bonface Mumba, has since paid tribute to The Urban Hotel Group Lusaka for sponsoring the Chess Cage Match billed for April 13 and 14,  2024, at The Urban Hotel in Lusaka, as part of raising momentum to the Olympiad.

Mumba said the Cage Match is between six time Zambia National Chess Champion and International Master, Andrew Kayonde, and FIDE Master, Prince Daniel Mulenga, a top 5 Chess Player in Zambia. 

Mumba said Zambia has been dominant at African Continental level in Chess as evidenced by International Master, Chitumbo Mwali, who returned from the Africa Chess Tournament with a Bronze Medal as the best three in Africa.

“We are putting together the Cage Match to build the momentum of partners like The Urban Hotel and to simply showcase the sport. Chess has been instrumental in shaping the thought process, analysis and life dynamics. Whenever you are playing on the Chess board, it represents life and you choose when to sacrifice, when to move and it all comes back to life decisions. The Chess Federation creates a platform for young players,” he said. 

Mumba said Chess Federation of Zambia President, Commissioner Leslie Chikuse, has been advocating on the need to create Chess as an income sport where players would easily take care of their families. 

“Zambia is going to the 45th Chess Olympiad in Hungary in September 2024 of which Chess Federation of Zambia is looking for a huge budget support from different partners. We will launch a resource mobilization drive towards the Olympiad. Every sport is won at preparation level and the moment we struggle to raise resources, the challenge of results is evident and we must be frank about it,” he said. 

The Chess Federation of Zambia Senior Official said the Country would produce more Chess Grand Masters if Chess players received the right support at the right time.

Mumba said Zambia produced Grand Master, Amon Simutowe, as the First Black Grand Master from Southern Africa, with the minimum support received at the time. 

Meanwhile, The Urban Hotel Lusaka Group Sales and Marketing Manager, Angela Nambela, said her institution accepted to sponsor the Chess Cage Match because the Hotel promotes the youth and the girl child. 

“When the Chess Federation of Zambia asked us to collaborate on the Chess Cage Match, we accepted unconditionally because The Urban Hotel Lusaka is a youthful team and very energetic. And when we thought of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), we chose Chess. We will sponsor accommodation, host the event and provide free meals for Chess players. The Chess Cage Match is free and we encourage people to attend the event at our 75 bedrooms facility,” she said.