12 Chess Pros set for Olympiad showdown
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA is gearing up to make a strong impression at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, set to commence tomorrow and conclude on September 23rd in Budapest, Hungary.
The Tanzanian chess team, comprising 12 players—six men and six women—departed Dar es Salaam today for the prestigious global tournament.
The Tanzanian delegation includes five male players: Shadra Lusako, Kilasa Misambo, Nurdin Hassujee, Veer Gandhi-Player and Henry Marwa, who will be guided by their captain, Mussa Mangula.
The women’s team features Mahi Shah, Anahi Shah, Zahabiyah Ebrahim, Lissa Siya and Bertha Samson, with Mustafa Ebrahim serving as their captain.
The tournament will be held at the BOK Sports and Conference Centre in the Expo Area, a venue renowned for its excellent facilities and competitive atmosphere.
With 197 nations participating, the Chess Olympiad is a premier event on the international chess calendar, attracting top players from around the world.
According to Mussa Mohammed, an official from the Tanzania Chess Association, each player will compete in 11 games throughout the tournament.
Mohammed expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and readiness, despite the absence of Albert Njau, the men’s national champion, who withdrew from the team due to personal reasons.
Shadra Lusako has been selected as Njau’s replacement, having been the sixth-ranked player in the national competition that determined the final team roster.
“We are well prepared and confident in our squad’s ability to represent Tanzania effectively,” Mohammed stated.
“Anahi Shah, our women’s champion this year, is one of our standout players. While we will miss Albert Njau, Shadra Lusako is more than capable of stepping up to the challenge.”
The Chess Olympiad will feature a diverse field of competitors, offering the Tanzanian team a chance to test their skills against some of the best chess minds globally.
This tournament represents a significant opportunity for Tanzanian players to showcase their talent on a world stage and contribute to the country’s growing reputation in international chess.
In his remarks, Mohammed extended gratitude to key supporters including Bankable (T) Ltd, Pricewaterhousecoopers (T) Ltd, Export Trading Company Ltd and Bakhresa Group, among others. “Their support has been instrumental in ensuring the players’ preparedness and their smooth travel to Budapest.”
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Mohammed also called on more sports stakeholders to continue supporting chess in Tanzania, emphasising the importance of collaboration in promoting and developing the sport.
As the tournament approaches, excitement is building and chess enthusiasts around the globe are eager to see how each team will perform. Tanzania’s participation underscores its commitment to the sport and its ambition to make a significant impact on the international chess scene.
The Tanzanian team’s journey to Budapest marks a milestone for the nation, reflecting its dedication to excellence in chess and its hope for a strong showing at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.
