Kumar rules open category chess title
THE 89th Geotech Drilling/Islands Electric-sponsored Lautoka Open Golf championship has attracted a record field of about 100 golfers from around the country.
The national event, proudly supported by Vuksich & Borich, Long Run Fiji and ICS Diamond Tools of Australia, will see 18 local professionals vying for a total $4000 cash prize purse with the amateurs to be rewarded in the overall A, B, C, juniors, beginners and sponsor’s choice categories over 18 holes at the scenic golf links layout.
Lautoka Golf Club executive Raymond Singh has confirmed that this prestigious championship was first played in 1931 with JH Macloed being the inaugural
THE University of Fiji has partnered with the Fiji Chess Federation (FCF) to host future tournaments after the success of the National Chess Championship at its Saweni Campus in Lautoka last weekend.
Candidate master Manoj Kumar won the open category while Tanvi Prasad took out the women’s category.
Mukesh Paranthaman won the secondary category, Arnav Lal won the primary category and five-year-old Arohan Gogoi was named as the best beginner.
FCF executive member and rating officer Avinesh Nadan was grateful to the University of Fiji for hosting the inaugural chess tournament of such magnitude in the Western Division and for providing
GOLF
Denarau
THE Gecko Trucking/Vuksich and Borich sponsored President’s Cup will be played at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club course on December 19. Entry fee: $60 (amateur members), $120 (professional members), $200 (professional non-members), $100 (amateur non-members). Includes shared cart and lunch. Professionals will play for a total prize purse of $10,000.
THE three months unlimited golf membership is $625. Contact: 9904250 or email: amitesh.chandra@westin.com. winner, during the Colonial Sugar Refining (CSR) era.
Our very own former world N0.1 Vijay Singh won back to back titles in 1981 and 1982. The 89th edition will see defending champion James Krishna being pitted alongside national reps Abid Hussein, Rizwan Mohammed and Asish Chand.
Tomasi Tuivuna and Sam Lee start as equal strong favourites in the professional category with home course favourite Roneel Prakash hot on their heels alongside Zoheer Ahmed, Amitesh Chandra, Anasa Seruvatu, Waisiki Vati and the evergreen former champion and 1987 South Pacific Games gold medallist Mahmood Buksh. Fiji seniors golf association president Vijay Madhwan will be back on the course where he the venue for future tournaments.
“The university has shown keen interest in chess, a deviation from academics to sports trying to develop all round students,” Nadan said.
The acting vice-chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said chess was an intellectual game as well as a game of strategy.
She said the university students were being encouraged
THE Rooster Poultry sponsored Chook Run will start at the course from January 7. Format: 9 holes stableford event. Entry fee: $10 (members), $40 (visitors).
Nadi
THE 2020 Nadi Airport Golf Club Season Closing Four Person Championship will be played December 13 followed by Christmas Party.
THE 2020 Nadi Airport Golf Club annual meeting will be held on January 17. The 2021 annual subscription has been reduced from $500 to $300. Contact: Mark Hinton 9989499. to take it up to provide them with an edge in employment opportunities.
“COVID-19 has brought us a whole lot of challenges and our graduates need to be equipped with social skills as well as formal qualifications,” Shameem said.
“The partnership with the FCF gives students the opportunity to interact with chess masters and those who are at the top of the sport.”
Natadola
THE Natadola Open will be played at the Natadola Bay Championship Course on December 12. Registration: 9.30am. Shotgun Start: 11am. Professional prize purse: $5000. started his golfing career. Shakeel Pillay is currently the standout junior golfer to carve his name in the history books to take out the LGC Open.
The dark horses includes the likes of Isei Waqa, Rohit Chandra, Ram Reddy, Shiva Rajan, Asish Kumar, Suren Pillay and William Danford. The recent rainy spell has put the greens and fairways in top condition. Businessman and avid golfer and sponsor Wella Pillay has reformed the rough areas to name it an even playing field for all participants.
Tee-off is from 7.30am. Late entries not accepted. Contact Gaffar Ali - 9789235, Roneel Prakash 9293148 and Chong Lee - 9923522.
Contact: David Roche 6733500, 8005200 or email: golf@natadolabay.com.
RUGBY LEAGUE Nadroga/Navosa
THE Nadroga/Navosa Rugby League 9s tournament will be played at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on December 19.
Women’s category: This is the first women’s 9s tournament in the country in conjunction with the Kaiviti Silktails Rugby League Club. Interested players from the following teams who are interested to participate are requested to register: Nadi Raiders, Lautoka Knights, Suva Storm, Nasinu Panthers, Navosa Tigers, Nadroga
Broncos. For registrations contact: Lynda 7668408 (Nadi/Lautoka), Selai 7632693 (Nadroga/Navosa), Nimilote 7823782 (Suva/ Nasinu). Prize money: $1000 (winner), $500 (runner-up).
Men’s category: Only the first 24 registered teams will be considered. Registration fees: $400 (closes on November 30). Prize money: $3000 (winner), $2000 (runner-up), $1250 (plate winner), $750 (plate runner-up), $250 (best player). Contact: Selai Domolailai 7632693, Suliasi Cakautabu 7868999.