Only one team yet to be identified for Malawi’s Kumudzi Chess national finals
Malawi’s Southern Region’s star studded chess club, Succhess, joins Central Region giants, Sweeping Pawns for the national finals of the Kumudzi Club Chess Championship finals to be held in Lilongwe on December 17.
After day long qualifiers that took place at Steers Debonaires in Blantyre over the weekend, Succhess — fielding national team players such as Chiletso Chipanga, FM Gerald Mphungu, Mayamiko Zulu and junior player Yebo Sanga, completely outclassed all their opponents to finish top with 12 points, five points clear of their closest contenders, Ndirande Snipers, who had seven points.
However, Ndirande Snipers greatly missed the services of their key players like John Mkumba and Kajani Kaunda.
Zomba Titans, inspired by Harrison Ishmael and Bright Nthala, finished third with six points.
The Northern Region (NRCL) will hold their qualifiers this weekend. The favourites are Gladiators, Mchengautuwa, Chibavi and Flying Horses.
According to NRCL general cecretary Kelusi Mhango, it’s still not clear who will qualify from the North.
“Anything can happen, let’s wait until this weekend,” he said.
The Kumudzi Club Chess Championship is sponsored by Kumudzi Center, which specialises in rural development. The league is seen as a positive response to revive a chess culture in the regions.
Meanwhile, Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) has given the three regional leagues an ultimatum to hold their long-overdue elections by mid December.
Chessam publicity secretary Makhosi Nyirenda said the two-year tenure of office for the league committees ended in October, but they gave them chance to finalise the league games.
“Let’s go back to the polls again, those interested to hold league positions must send their applications to Chessam chief executive Gershom Chima,” he said.
Nyirenda also encouranged that the leagues must choose people that are really passionate about developimg the game.
He also encouraged those that are vying for positions to come up with impressive manifestos that will steer up the standards of chess in the regions.
The positions available in the regions are chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer, general secretary, publicity secretary and regional oordinator for schools’ chess and five committee member positions.
Nyirenda also made a special mention on regional coordinator for schools’ chess as being very critical for the development of chess in the country.
“For this position, we need a hard working individial that can easily get access to schools, probably a teacher,” he said.
Nyirenda also said those interested can also talk to the leagues’ chairpersons, Terence Namaona for the South; Khama Chindole from the Centre and Isaac Mumba from the North or any officer duly authorised by them.
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