Draught: World champion Kondlo tours Mombasa

South African Lubabalo Kondlo. [Reuters]

International Draught Federation has called for the inclusion of the sport in the Olympics family.

Reigning world draught champion South African Lubabalo Kondlo said the sport has become popular globally and its inclusion as a competing sport at the Olympic Games is overdue.

“The International Draught Federation has applied for admittance as one of the Olympic sports and we as draught enthusiasts hope to see the sport become one of the events in Olympic Games in future,” said the South African champion while on a tour in Mombasa.

Kondlo spoke at Akamba Handicraft during the Mombasa Open draught tournament that also saw reigning Kenyan champion Chrispin Odhiambo emerged tops.

Odhiambo also won the Mashujaa Day Open trophy last month.

Kondlo recently beat Italian draughts Grandmaster Michele Borghetti 5 - 0 to take the world title in Mississippi.

This win made him the first African to claim the world title.

In 2007, Kondlo became the first and only draughts Grandmaster in South Africa and on the African continent after winning the World Qualifier in Las Vegas.

Kondlo challenged Kenyan government to support draught as any other sport.

“The less-valued sports have recently become more competitive thus making nations become famous,” said Kondlo.

Kenya draught national team captain Charles Musyoka urged the counties to also support the sport.