The National Chess team player Christine Namaganda has called upon the government to increase the funds allocated to the chess fraternity insisting that the current financial support given to the Uganda Chess Federation is meager.
The Woman Fide Master voiced her concern following Uganda’s delayed travels to Baku, Azerbaijan for the 42nd edition of the World Chess Olympiad due to difficulties in funding players which meant Uganda missed the first three rounds as the team composed of ten players reached Baku three days after the tournament had commenced.
“The government should learn to sponsor players,” said Namaganda a three time Olympian.
“We suffered because we didn’t have enough funding. Our tickets were got on loan and now the federation has to pay close to Ugx50m. The National Council of Sports paid for only two tickets. There was too much confusion and we missed three round. This should seriously stop. The government should know this and it should be addressed.” She added.
Despite all the predicaments and disruptive faced, the team managed to stage a spirited challenge to produce one of the country’s best performances at the Olympiad, and the rated 1555 says it was all due to team dedication.
“We just focused on playing our games. Forgot all the struggles of getting to Baku and just concentrated on playing, although I still believe the team would have done even better had we been there on time.”
As a substitute on board four, the 30 year old played only four rounds, registering a 3.5 score having won all her games and drawing just once. She was pleased with her performance.
“I played my best. I looked at my board before looking at others and made sure I won my games. It’s just that I played a few games. Loved to play many but I couldn’t. I did well because I didn’t lose any game. It was one of the best Olympiads I have been to.”
In the same breath, the six time National Chess champion singled out Fide Master Harold Wanyama as the best performer.
“He [Wanyama] played 8 games and got 5.5/8 which is not easy in the Open section.”
Uganda finished 120th out of 180 in the Open category and 117 out 142 countries in the Women section.
