Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o launches Victoria East Africa U21 Chess tournament

The serene shores of Lake Victoria have become a chess battleground as Kisumu Governor, H.E. Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, officially launched the Victoria East Africa U21 Chess Tournament on Sunday.

This premier chess event, taking place at the luxurious Sarova Imperial Hotel in Kisumu, brings together some of the most promising young talents from across East Africa and beyond.

The tournament’s launch was celebrated alongside the commencement of the Festival of Arts and Culture (Festac Africa), making it a week of cultural and intellectual enrichment in the region.

In his opening remarks, Governor Nyong’o warmly welcomed participants, officials, and chess enthusiasts to Kisumu, emphasizing the importance of the event to the local community and the broader East African region.

“We are gathered here this Sunday morning to witness the start of this premier sporting event – the East African Under 21 Chess Competition,” said Nyong’o.

He highlighted the significance of hosting such a prestigious tournament, which coincides with one of the biggest cultural events in Africa, Festac Africa.

The Victoria East Africa U21 Chess Tournament, hosted by the Victoria Chess Club, has attracted a diverse group of young chess prodigies not only from East Africa but also from countries such as Canada, the USA, Britain, and Uganda.

Governor Nyong’o expressed his admiration for the Victoria Chess Club, which, despite being only eight years old, has made significant strides in popularizing chess in Western Kenya.

“Victoria Chess Club deserves applause for working hard to popularize chess in Western Kenya at a time when most people believed this sport is the preserve of the ‘high-society,’” he stated.

The Governor underscored the broader cognitive and academic benefits of chess, noting that the game enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and planning skills.

“Apart from being fun, this sport enhances thinking skills—like problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, planning, and even creative thinking. Chess also helps improve general cognitive ability and scholastic achievement,” Nyong’o noted.

The tournament promises intense competition, with top players vying for coveted prizes, including a return ticket from JamboJet to any part of the country and a laptop for the top boys' and girls' teams, respectively.

As Governor Nyong’o observed, these prizes reflect the tournament’s commitment to recognizing excellence and encouraging the participants’ growth.

“The competition is expected to be tough and exciting, more so considering that the cream of the competition will be up for quality items,” Nyong’o added.

Governor Nyong’o also expressed his gratitude to the Chess Kenya Federation and numerous sponsors for their support in making the tournament possible.

“On behalf of the County Government, I wish to thank the Chess Kenya Federation—the official body that oversees the playing of chess in Kenya—and the many sponsors for supporting the tournament,” he said.

In his closing remarks, Governor Nyong’o reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting sports development in the county. He revealed plans to collaborate closely with the Victoria Chess Club to elevate chess to even greater heights in the region.

“I have instructed my CECM for Sports, Culture, Youth, and Women Affairs to work closely with Victoria Chess Club to help take the sport to higher levels in the region,” he announced.

The launch of the Victoria East Africa U21 Chess Tournament marks a significant milestone for Kisumu, showcasing the city as a hub for cultural and intellectual activities.

With players from different regions and countries converging in Kisumu, the event not only celebrates chess but also fosters international camaraderie and cultural exchange.