Indoor Games: Chess and Scrabble suspend games

KCB Chess Club's Ben Nguku. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

The 2020 Kenya Chess Premier League (KCPL) and Scrabble National Circuits have been suspended following the confirmation of three cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kenya over the weekend.

Chess Kenya President Bernard Wanjala said the decision to call off the games after the first round this season, depended on a directive from the Ministry of Health.

“Following the Ministry of Health’s ban on public gatherings and as a precautionary measure, Chess Kenya would wish to inform the public of suspension of all events scheduled for March and April,” he said.

Some of the postponed events include the 2nd National Chess Championships for People Living with Disabilities, the inaugural National Inter-Schools qualifiers, Kenya National Youth and Cadets Chess Championship.

The same suspension of the league has been enforced by Scrabble Kenya Secretary General Evelyne Njogu, who confirmed to the Standard Sports the suspension of the 2020 Scrabble National Circuits.

“We wish to inform all clubs of the suspension of the season,” until further notice,” she said.

The coronavirus outbreak has hit Kenyan sports after the country reported its first case on Friday.

Two more cases were confirmed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday.

According to the World Health Organisation, the virus, which exploded in China’s Wuhan City, has so far claimed over 4,900 lives with more than 132,000 people infected globally.