Zim Olympiad chess team leaves for Hungary The tournament will see more than 20 high schools from different countries competing and Cheziya Gokwe High coach Blessing Jenami said they were looking forward to bringing home a gold medal.

Takudzwa Chitsiga

Sports Reporter

THE Zimbabwe men and women chess teams left the country for the 45th edition of the Olympiad Chess Championship to be staged in Budapest Hungary yesterday.

Zimbabwe will be represented by 10 top local players in the tournament.

Tapiwa Gora, the men’s captain, said he is happy to be part of the delegation and is looking forward to doing well at this year’s edition.

“I am very happy to be part of the team and being the captain is an honour for me. The guys have been working hard ahead of the tournament and I am grateful to all those who came on board to see that the trip is a success. We have four players coming direct from Zimbabwe while South Africa based Makoto and United States based Farai Mandizha will link up with the rest of the team in Hungary.

“We are expecting to be in Budapest tomorrow at 2:30pm and we will work as a team as this needs team effort to gain points,” said Gora.

Women’s team captain Egab Mudozva said he was happy that they have the best players in the team and they boost of women candidate Kudzanai Charinda, Christine Mukwena, Linda Shabba, Tatenda Zengeni and Colleta Makurerwa. “The players had time to practice as a group and I am hopeful that we will do well. We would like to improve from our last outing.

“There was great support from Minerva, Ministry of Sports arts and Culture as well as the Sports commission. We will go out there and raise the Zimbabwean flag high as we are the ambassadors during this visit.

Head of delegation who is also Zimbabwe Chess Federation secretary general, Todd Mapingire said they are happy to have managed to attend the tournament.

“I am here representing ZCF president Mucha Mukangamwi and we are happy as a federation to be sending a high powered delegation for the 20224 Olympiad Championships in Budapest. All things being equal we look forward to do well and come up with at least a medal hopefully.

“We finished 53rd in the World the last time we took part and we look forward to improve our rankings this time around. We have a very strong squad with a lot of experience on international stage.

“The competition is high but we have a good side mixed with experience and some up and coming youngsters who need such exposure,” said Mapingire. The team had a luncheon curtesy of Minerva Zimbabwe before their departure.

Mirverva managing director Timothy Nerudzo said the team should go and represent the country well as it is an opportunity for them to shine.

“We are happy that you are going to represent us as a nation and we are hopeful that you will bring smiles to millions back home. This is an opportunity to show the world that we are good at chess and we hope to have a grandmaster in the near future,’ said Nerudzo.

Zimbabwe Chess Team

Men: Tapiwa Gora (Team Captain), Farai Mandizha, Emarald Mushore, Vitalis Mapuranga, Rodwell Makoto, Roy Mwadzura

Women: Agab Mudozva (Team Captain), Kudzanai Charinda, Christine Makwena, Colletah Waku-ruwarewa, Linda Shaba and Tatenda Zengeni

Officials: Todd Mapingire (Chief of Delegation)

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