Takudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Chess Federation, in conjunction with the National Association of School Heads and Sports Commission, have sent a strong 30-member delegation for this year’s Under-18 Africa Youth Chess Championship in Cairo, Egypt.
The team, which had a send-off ceremony at ZCF offices at Joina City in Harare CBD, is made up of boys and girls who qualified during the national schools’ chess leagues.
ZCF secretary-general, Todd Mapingire, said this year’s tournament runs from today until September 9.
“We are looking forward to seeing you return home with medals and once you are in Egypt you are one team, that is Zimbabwe, and you are a family.
“There is a need for unity, discipline and punctuality when you are out there.
“By having your national colours, and wearing this green jacket, it means you have developed into players whom we have faith in.
“There is a need to cheer each other up during the ups and downs,” said Mapingire.
Head of delegation, Denver Mazambani, said they were looking forward to a successful tour and he is hopeful that they will do well at the tournament.
“We are grateful to those who made this trip a success and we are going to do our best as a team.
“We have good players who are capable of doing well as playing in the national team shows that there is a lot of potential in you and we are confident that we will bring home some medals.
“We are happy that the parents gave the players the opportunity to be part of this tour and this will help improve the players’ confidence in the future.
“Playing at such a high level gives players exposure and that will help us to identify some future masters,” said Mazambani.
Team: Rumbidzai Mawire, Ropafadzo Gwatidzo, Maitaishe Mangwende, Mary Chipidza, Mya Mbanje, Makanaka Chiwara, Eryna Jane, Princess Eleanor Ncube, Emanuel Zivambiso, Taonashe Henry Chimbodza, Grace Zvarebwa, Patricia Madziva, Myles Mbanje, Izile Ndebele, Natalie Aisha Chikoko, Lynne Simango, Mellisa Kambezo, Danmore Mashava, Amith Boddapati, Takunda Maxen, Tawananyasha Mawire, Thandazani Mushore, Benenkosi Ndiweni, Alms Machengeto.
Officials: Denver Mazambani (HOD), Phyliss Shamuyarira NASH Rep), Mercy Mushangwe (national arbiter), Lewis Kahoba (coach), Kudakwashe Mukundwa (coach), Lawrence Tavagwisa (coach), Godknows Dembure (coach)