Uganda Chess Federation unveiled the activity calendar for the year 2016.
This was during the media press conference held on Friday 15 January 2016 that was witnessed by National Council of Sports official, David Katende.
The major highlight in the calendar is Uganda’s hosting of the Africa Individual Chess Championship from 20th to 30th May 2016 in Kampala.
The Africa individual tournament is the biggest event on the continent’s calendar and this will be the first time in history that Uganda is hosting such an event.
The country has previously hosted the Zone 4.2 Africa Chess Championship in 2015 and the Africa Junior in 1999.
Katende congratulated UCF for earning the right to host such a big event, which is a vote of confidence in the Federation’s ability.
As hosts, Uganda will be able to feature at least 4 men in the Open and 4 ladies in the ladies categories. In the event of an odd number in the total number of participants, the hosts have the right to field an additional player.
The hosts will also be required to provide free board and lodging for one player from each visiting country in each of the categories. Other countries can field a maximum of three players in each category.
The Federation also launched a fundraising drive for raising funds to host the event.
UCF officials told the media that 2016 was going to be a very busy year since the national team would also be participating in the World Chess Olympiad due to be played in Baku, Azerbaijan in September 2016.
The first phase of the Qualifiers for the Olympiad has already been held.
The first event on the 2016 calendar is the second phase of the Qualifiers (for men) scheduled to commence on Saturday 23 January 2016 at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel.
It will run over 8 days, the others being Sunday 24th, Tuesday 26th ( Public Holiday) and end on Saturday 30th January 2016.
The third and last phase of the Qualifiers will be held in February 2016 for the team to be determined early enough.
The first 4 players on the national team are the ones to represent the country at the Africa Individual Chess Championship, which will help them to warm up for the Olympiad.
