Uganda junior chess team has been flagged off at Jevine Hotel, Rubaga ahead of the African Schools Individual Chess Championships set to run from August 19-28 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
In attendance was International Master Elijah Emojong, who did the honors of seeing off the players in a ceremony he played a Simultaneous against three players.
Led by 11-year-old Maria Nakanyike and Mark Nyola Wasswa- who will play under the category of U-17- as team captains, Uganda will be represented by 12 players including 7-year-olds Kitty Joyce Mary Ndagizimana and Suubi Kiwanuka Lwanga the youngest players in the team.
Uganda, who are taking part in the championships for the second time running having competed in Namibia last year will look to bring home both boys’ and girls’ medals in different age categories, with Nakanyike, Ndagizimana and Vincent Buwule the most likely to triumph.
Speaking at the ceremony, John Vianney Mukalazi, one of the coaches traveling with the team said the country has sent the best youngsters and that they will be looking at finishing at the podium positions in each category or at least earn ratings.
He said: “It’s been three weeks of constant and vigorous training. I believe the kids are well prepared and ready to face the challenge. I’m confident that they are confident they will make the country proud.
“We are going to Zimbabwe not as mere participants, but we want to leave a mark which means we must compete for the top positions. It pleases me to know that these kids are confident they can bring the medals. We are also looking at gaining ratings which will also be a great achievement as none of our travelling kids is rated.”
The team that will be headed by Uganda Chess Federation [UCF] Emmanuel Mwaka departs for Zimbabwe Saturday morning at 5am aboard Rwanda Airlines.
Travelling Team
Players
- Suubi Kiwanuka Lwanga
- Kitty Joyce Mary Ndagizimana
- Peace Noami Nabuyondo
- Maria Nakanyike
- Hamssadwane Sivakumar
- Buak Joseph Mohame Lino
- Victor Kanyike
- Mark Nyola Wasswa
- Suubi Kiwanuka
- Patrick Elijah Muwanguzi
- Paul Kevin Wasswa
- Edwin Pido
Officials
- Vincent Buwule
- Muthukrishnan Bharathi
- John Vianney Mukalazi
- Sammy Sabayinda
- Simon Gonza
- Emmanuel Mwaka