Between August 31st and September 11th this year, the Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) will host the African Individual Chess Championships. The government of Iceland donated N$80,000 to Namibia to help host the event and local chess clubs have been helping contribute some of their skill to help children learn the game.
Iceland’s Charge d’Affaires in Namibia, Vilhjalmur Wiium, said the embassy wanted to encourage as many young people as possible to play chess. He encouraged community members, especially parents and teachers, to support children engaged in the game and to show interest in their progress.
The donation will help Namibia host the championship because, Wiium says, since chess is not as lucrative as other sports, it requires additional support from the private sector.
Max Nitzborn is the president of the NCF. He is in the final stage of conducting the federation’s first pilot project which started in 2005 and involves 2,500 children and teachers in 300 schools across the country.
The NCF is expecting at least 145 visitors including at least 45 coaches, judges, delgates and members of the press to attend the event. The top six finalists will qualify for a position at the World Cup in Russia later in the year as well as benefit from cash prizes totaling N$250,000.
I would have contacted one that have a time machine ;-)
Who to contact if I’m interested in being part of the event?