Promoting Chess in Africa

VICTOR KUMWENDA, Lusaka

FORMER women world chess champion Zhu Chen is impressed with the standard of the sport in Zambia.

Grand Master Zhu is in the country as part of a four-nation tour of southern Africa.

She is accompanied by African Chess Federation president Lewis Ncube.

Speaking when she paid a courtesy call on Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development Ronald Chitotela in Lusaka yesterday, Zhu said Zambia has potential to become a chess powerhouse on the continent.

She said her trip to southern Africa is to encourage local chess federations to implement programmes aimed at increasing the participation of women and young girls in the sport.

“Having seen the performance of Zambian chess players at international competitions and witnessed the hunger and interest for chess development activities, I can see the country being a major force in Africa within the coming few years,” Zhu said.

She said the onus is on the Chess Federation of Zambia (CFZ) to put in place structures and programmes.

Zhu said Grand Master Amon Simutowe is an inspiration to upcoming chess players across the continent.

She also encouraged women players to continue working hard.

“I want them [women] to be disciplined and focused because once you embrace these virtues, then success is easily attained. I hope to interact with most of them during my stay here [Lusaka],” Zhu said.

Zhu became China’s second women world chess champion in 2001.

And Chitotela said Zhu is a role model for women.

“We are grateful to you [Zhu] for finding time to visit Zambia and other countries in the region. As Government we are committed to supporting all sports disciplines,” Chitotela said.

He appealed to the National Sports Council of Zambia to create linkages with the chess academy run by Zhu to accelerate the development of the sport in the country.

Source: https://www.daily-mail.co.zm