Champ waits to excel but no ticket for take-off

Gilliane Otieno [Photo:Standard]

By David Odongo

Every time there is an international athletics competition, Kenyans wait for that moment when the national anthem is sang to honour the athlete who has won a race.

Kenyans’ pride for the athletes’ exploits is overwhelming. It makes many young talents want to conquer the world and bring honour to their motherland.

That was what was in Gilliane Otieno’s mind after she qualified to represent Kenya at the World Youth Chess championships in Slovania next month.

Competitive

Seven-year-old Gilliane qualified after a competitive and challenging two-day World Youth Qualifiers Tournament at Oshwal Primary School in Parklands, Nairobi.

The Standard Three pupil at Nairobi Pentecostal Church Academy in Buru Buru, Titi, as she is popularly called, believes she has what it takes to win the competition at the global arena.

She says she is adequately prepared for it. “I have been practicing with my teacher a lot, and I know I can beat the rest of the world,” says a confident Titi.  She started playing chess last December.

Her mother, Gertrude Kiko, says a family friend who is a teacher, tought Titi chess, just for fun. The girl caught on well, and was soon spending her free time playing chess.

“Nobody in our family plays chess, she just has the talent and as a parent, I am trying to help her achieve her dreams, and play chess to the highest level,” says Kiko.

But Titi’s dreams and determination may not come to fruition as the Government is yet to  commit itself to cater for flight and accommodationfor the youngster in Slovenia.

Assumes sadness

“I see the Government providing for athletes, and other sportsmen, I wish they would also provide for me to participate in this international event,” says the little one.

Suddenly her face assumes sadness. She is sure there is a probability she might not travel for the tournament.

The question that disturbs Titi and indeed many others is: Can someone work so hard and beat challengers only not to take the competition to the next level?

“If I don’t get my fare, food and hotel, I will have to let go of the chance, which is sad because I know I can perform well and even emerge the best, and make my parents, country, and school proud,” she says, with a tinge of regret.

To qualify for the international stage, Titi beat other top 96 youngsters last month. She won all the six matches in the Under Eight category.

“I practice with my teacher, Samuel Kimani, and I also pray and ask God to help me before every match. I have also prayed and asked God to help me go to Slovenia, and he will answer. He always answers my prayers,” said Titi, full of conviction. Titi won her first tournament during the Mt Kenya Open held at Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls’ High School.

On top of the world

“It was my first tournament and I won five matches and lost one. I was on top of the world,” she says, smiling coyly.

Afterwards she was placed fourth during a tournament in Brookhouse School.

In March, she won her six matches to scoop the top position in the Naivasha Chess Open.

Mr Kimani  introduced chess to the youngsters during holidays, so they would have something to do.

“Surprisingly, she took to the game so fast, and I was surprised, thereafter, I decided to make sure she becomes the best at chess, and I am sure she will not disappoint us,” says a proud Kimani.

Talking to The Standard, Ben Mañana, a three-time national chess champion, said: “I started playing chess just out of curiosity ten years ago and to date, the challenges I went through are still the same these children are going through.”

In Kenya, chess is mainly organised by private club run by chess enthusiasts. There is a national chess federation although it receives minimal sponsorship from the Government.