Over 200 students and pupils came together at Afraha Secondary School on Madaraka day to compete in the Governor’s chess tournament.

As schools arrived, students were registered and grouped into different categories under which they would compete.

The participants drawn from different schools were aged between seven to eighteen years.

Koelel high school emerged the best boys' school in the chess tournament on June 1, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

The event which concluded at 5 pm saw Koelel Boys emerge the best boys high school, Vanessa Grant Girls' School as the best girls’ school, and Kipepeo School and Gilgil academy as the best primary schools and best chess academy respectively.

The tournament was organized in collaboration with the County government, Crime Sio Poa organization, and the Nakuru Chess Academy.

Vanessa Grant girls school after being awarded the best girls' schools in the chess tournament on June 1, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Dickson Gitari, the event organizer says chess is an active sport that helps children excel in academics.

He notes that other than just enjoying the sport, the organizers are using chess to curb crime by introducing it in informal settlements.

“The ultimate goal is to spread the game across the county, get it to the less fortunate children and break the notion that chess is a rich man’s sport. We have children from the informal settlements who have won trophies today, something that warms my heart, “says Mr Gitari.

Students from Kipepeo school pose for a photo after being awarded the best primary school at the Governor's chess tournament on June 1,2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Speaking during the award ceremony, Nakuru’s Sports Executive, Ms Josephine Achieng, said the Governors Chess tournament will be an annual competition, done every Madaraka Day.

“This tournament will be held yearly as a way to support skilled chess players and grow new talent. Chess has had a low performance over the years. However, this will be one of the ways to revive chess in the region,” says Ms Achieng’.

She adds that the plan is to use the budget allocation in the sports docket to boost sports activities that have been ignored before.

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