Alarm as Kenya set to miss World Chess Olympiad due to lack of funds

Candidate Master Ben Magana in action against Monaheng Motlomelo during round two of the 2022 Kisumu Open Classic Chess Tournament .[Washington Onyango,Kisumu]

Kenya is at the brink of missing out on the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai City, India due to lack of funds.

Chess Kenya President Benard Wanjala on Wednesday revealed to the Standard Sports that they might not send the national team to India next week for the championships scheduled for July 28 to August 10 because they lack the Sh9 million required for the trip.

Wanjala said they have tried the government with no luck and is now calling upon well-wishers and corporate companies to come to the rescue of the very-able team which is led by Kenya National Chess champion Martin Njoroge.

He said the nine million is expected to cover the expenses for air tickets, accommodation, meals and allowances.

“It is true we are struggling to meet our budget. The government has not chipped in this time and we have no sponsors. Chess is a growing sport in the country and this year we are to send 10 players to the global games, an improvement never seen before.”

“I’d love to see majority of the local players achieve their dreams of playing at the World games against the best but that might not happen. We have tried to lobby from well-wisher but the response is still very low and therefore I humbly request for help,” said Wanjala.

Apart from Njoroge, Candidate Master (CM) Ben Magana, Ben Nguku (KCB), Deadly Bishops’ Githinji Hinga and Robert Mcligeyo (KCB) are Kenya’s male players hoping to represent the country in India.

Their female counterparts include Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Joyce Nyaruai, Woman Fide Master (WFM) Sasha Mongeli, World Women’s Amateur champion Madelta Glenda, Jully Mutisya (Nakuru Chess Club) and Cynthia Awino (Technical University of Kenya).

A dark cloud is hanging over local sports with cases of financial instability which has made it difficult to honour international competitions.

This month alone, the women’s national volleyball team Malkia Strikers had to beg for money for preparation for the World Championships same as Kenya Morans who lacked funds to feature in the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers in Egypt.