WINDHOEK – Last weekend saw a number of chess enthusiasts gather for the Namibian Chess Federation’s (NCF) annual general meeting, held at the Namibia Schools Sport Union (NSSU) in Olympia on Saturday and Sunday.
The meeting produced a number of fruitful results such as the voting in of the executive committee (Exco) and changes to the constitution.
Otto Nakapunda received a second term as president of the NCF. The Exco was rounded off by a few new faces namely: Charles Eichab (vice president), McLean Handjaba (secretary general), Immanuel Gariseb (technical director), Jolly Nepando (treasurer), Richman Tjiriange (development officer) and El-Shaddai Aluteni (PRO).
Some noteworthy changes to the constitution saw the term for the Exco being extended from two years to four years in order to enhance continuity and to ensure the current Exco will be able to complete its mandate. The changes made to the Constitution are in line with the NCF’s strategic plan for 2020.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Namsports Independence Blitz kicks off a new competitive chess season. The event will take place at the Unam Khomasdal Campus from 10h00 until 18h00.
Thanks to the generosity of the main sponsor, Namsports, this tournament will see a number of chess titans walking away with great prizes.
In the Open Category, first place will receive N$600, second place N$450, third place N$350 while fourth place walks away with N$150 and last but not least fifth place will receive N$100.
The tournament will be split into a number of categories; Under-20s, Under-18s, Under-16s, Under-14s, Under-12s, Under-10s, Under-8s and the Women’s Section. Those who are interested in participating in the blitz can find out more by contacting the NCF’s Technical Director Immanuel Gariseb on 0818539257.
To round off the month of March, the NCF has a thrilling developmental tournament lined up for schools and academies. The Schools Team Championship is scheduled for March 28 and the following day the NCF will host a chess coaches’ seminar. Both of these enriching activities will take place in Otjiwarongo.
April will host a number of exciting tournaments namely the National Chess Champions that has been moved from the initial date of March 18-22 and will now take place over Easter weekend. This tournament will produce the top male and female players that will participate and represent Namibia in the Zone 4.3 Championship to be held in Blantyre, Malawi, later in the month.