SOS for four chess geniuses

FOUR Bulawayo primary school pupils who excelled at the national chess championships in Harare last month earning tickets to represent the country at the Africa Youth Chess Youth Championships in Port Elizabeth, South Africa might not make the trip due to lack of funding.

The pupils are 10-year-old Prosperity Ndlovu, sisters Matilda (10) and Amanda Sibanda (8), and Kuzivakwashe Tongowashe (10). Ndlovu, Matilda and Amanda are pupils at Gampu Primary School in Mpopoma, while Tongowashe attends Mkhithika Thebe Primary School in Cowdray Park.

According to the Zimbabwe Junior Chess, who notified the pupils of their qualification for Africa, for them to realise their dreams and also enhance their progression in the game, the youngsters will have to each part with 70 Euros (about US$79), in registration fees to the African Chess Federation, 100 Euros (about $113) to South African Chess Federation and 440 Euros (about US$497) for accommodation.

The event is penciled in for 21 to 29 August and the deadline for payment is 15 July.

Gampu is already finding ways to help their pupils and on Friday they held a fundraising event where traditional food was on sale.

One of the girls Amanda said she has always held her own among her peers since the start of the qualification programme at schools level and was eager to prove her mettle in Africa, funds allowing.

“At first I represented the school at zonal level at Mpumelelo Primary where I came first ahead of children from five schools in my age group. I then went on to contest at Induba Primary at district level and came first ahead of pupils from 30 schools,’’ said Amanda.

“I proceeded to Baines Primary representing Mzilikazi District before going to Harare to represent the Province coming out tops in all occasions” she added.

Little Amanda said she was awarded a chess kit for securing top spot at provincial level.

At national level the duo of Amanda and Prosperity claimed gold in their respective age groups. Matilda and Tongowashe walked away with silver for second positions.