Busy 2017 for Namibian chess
MAQONDA NDLOVU, NAMPA
The game of chess has seen tremendous growth in Namibia in the last four years with more to come in future, says Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) president Otto Nakapunda.
Nakapunda says this is thanks to proper planning and the establishment of a league in 2013, which has led to the formation of clubs and academies.
“We started off with 10 teams in the league in 2013, now we have the premier league and the first division with 10 teams each.”
Nakapunda says the creation of the league has led to Namibia winning medals at regional and international events.
In 2015, Namibia brought back two medals, one gold and one silver, from the African Schools Individuals Championships in South Africa. Last year at the same championships in Zambia, Namibia won one gold and two silvers.
“We are no longer just participating, we are now competing,” he says, adding that they are doing all this despite financial challenges.
Nakapunda says like all sports codes in Namibia, they find it difficult to attract sponsors.
Things are looking up this year, however, as a number of companies have made financial commitments to run tournaments and projects.
A number of tournaments will take place. These include the African Schools Individuals Championships in Windhoek from 23 to 31 August.
Seminars will be held concurrently with national tournaments to teach more people chess.
Some tournaments will have new formats and will be used to select players to represent the country at various regional and international tournaments.
For the first time in Namibia, the NCF will also host a women’s chess challenge.
“We already have a sponsor and the tournament will take place in the second half of the year,” Nakapunda says.
A junior league is also in the offing this year.
The NCF further wants to introduce chess in prisons and hospitals, as well as Braille chess for the blind, and veterans’ chess.
“Chess can help rehabilitate people in correctional facilities and our veterans can pass the time playing chess. They will help pass the knowledge on to the younger ones,” he says.
The federation will introduce chess at more towns.
Nakapunda says they also want to develop chess terminology in local languages.
The game of chess has seen tremendous growth in Namibia in the last four years with more to come in future, says Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) president Otto Nakapunda.
Nakapunda says this is thanks to proper planning and the establishment of a league in 2013, which has led to the formation of clubs and academies.
“We started off with 10 teams in the league in 2013, now we have the premier league and the first division with 10 teams each.”
Nakapunda says the creation of the league has led to Namibia winning medals at regional and international events.
In 2015, Namibia brought back two medals, one gold and one silver, from the African Schools Individuals Championships in South Africa. Last year at the same championships in Zambia, Namibia won one gold and two silvers.
“We are no longer just participating, we are now competing,” he says, adding that they are doing all this despite financial challenges.
Nakapunda says like all sports codes in Namibia, they find it difficult to attract sponsors.
Things are looking up this year, however, as a number of companies have made financial commitments to run tournaments and projects.
A number of tournaments will take place. These include the African Schools Individuals Championships in Windhoek from 23 to 31 August.
Seminars will be held concurrently with national tournaments to teach more people chess.
Some tournaments will have new formats and will be used to select players to represent the country at various regional and international tournaments.
For the first time in Namibia, the NCF will also host a women’s chess challenge.
“We already have a sponsor and the tournament will take place in the second half of the year,” Nakapunda says.
A junior league is also in the offing this year.
The NCF further wants to introduce chess in prisons and hospitals, as well as Braille chess for the blind, and veterans’ chess.
“Chess can help rehabilitate people in correctional facilities and our veterans can pass the time playing chess. They will help pass the knowledge on to the younger ones,” he says.
The federation will introduce chess at more towns.
Nakapunda says they also want to develop chess terminology in local languages.
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