BY RICHARD ZIMUNYA
THE Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) has made a passionate plea for the corporate world to consider sponsoring the sport following a record turnout of more than 200 participants at the ongoing 2022 Zimbabwe Easter Open Chess Tournament.
The annual three day event being held at Joina City in Harare started on Friday and will end tomorrow.
Defending champions Emarald Mushore and Kudzanai Chirinda are favorites to retain their titles men and women categories respectively; as they had a perfect start yesterday which saw them booking places to the next rounds.
ZCF president Collen Tongoona said he is impressed by the huge turnout by participants.
“I am really impressed because for the first time in our history we are more than 200. This shows that chase is growing, we have more than 60 participants in the junior category and more than 40 ladies as well, so it is a huge turnout,” Tongoona said.
He, however, lamented the lack of sponsorship for the sport.
“We are really crying for cooperate world to come and help us , this event we do not have a sponsor.
“I believe if we were getting sponsorship for event such as this Easter open, it could have been very big than what it is,” he added.
Tongoona’s sponsorship plea comes after the country was nominated to host the African Junior Chess Championship but was forced to turn down the opportunity due to lack of sponsorship.
“We had to turn down hosting the Africa Junior Chess tournament due to lack of funds, it is a big event which would have brought a lot of benefits. So as a federation we are also pleading to the cooperate world to partner us in our activities,” said ZCF president.