By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
ORGANISERS of the Golden Jubilee chess fundraising tournament have raised about K36,000 towards hosting of the event set for October in Lusaka.
Committee chairperson Nolias Kalinga said in an interview yesterday that various companies have come on board to sponsor the tournament whose first prize will be a weekend for two at South Luangwa Nation Park in Mfuwe.
Kalinga said the fundraising tournament to be held at Chrismar Hotel on October 4 would be a veteran’s tournament whose main objective would be to raise money for the Chess Federation of Zambia (CFZ).
“Preparations for the Golden Jubilee Veterans and Ladies Chess Gala is progressing well. We have had a lot of sponsors coming on board to help us like Euro-Africa Bus Services who have sponsored the first prize.
“We also have had two veteran chess players teaming up to sponsor the cocktail,” he said.
He said the second best lady prize has been taken up by Ferro Alloy of Kabwe while the CFZ will print the T-shirts.
“So far 60 per cent of the budget has been raised. We are appealing to more companies and individuals to come on board and assist the organising committee raise the remaining 40 percent,” he said.
Kalinga said 80 tickets have so far been sold out and that his committee was targeting 150 veteran and lady chess players.
“We are encouraging all ladies and veteran chess players to buy the tickets and participate in the chess gala. The objective of this tournament is in four fold and includes celebrating Zambia’s 50th Independence Anniversary, raising money for the CFZ so they take chess to schools,” he said.
He added that the tournament also presents an opportunity for veteran chess players to show case their talents and contribute to the development of chess in Zambia and also encourage ladies’ participation in chess.