ABOUT E200 000 NEEDED FOR GEORGIA CHESS-BOUND TEAM

MBABANE - It will cost an arm and a leg for the Georgia chess-bound national team. According to figures released by the Swaziland National Chess Federation, President Roy Msibi, they need at least E183 690.

The 13-member delegation will on September 21 leave the country for Georgia where they will participate in the Chess Olympiad World Cup. They will return home on October 6.

“It will cost close to US$1 000 per person for the whole trip including air tickets, registration and accommodation. The Chess International Federation will foot 90 per cent of the expenses. We are currently in talks with Swaziland National Sports and Recreation Council (SNSRC) to assist us with registration funds which is around E30 000,” Msibi disclosed.

He further pleaded for support from companies to assist them with a national team kit.
“All teams are required to wear uniform or should I say kit. No team will be allowed to play without a kit so we are pleading with local companies to assist us in that regard,” he added.

Asked on the selection criteria, the president said they had selected players based on their current form.
“We selected a team based on the past two tournaments namely the Chess Championships and Phela Live Chess Challenge. Those who excelled on those major tournaments got the nod,” he said.

They are taking 11 players and two officials namely; SNDF Vice President Thobile Mthethwa and the president, Msibi.The list includes the likes of the country’s fourth-ranked player Mbongeni Mabuza and fast improving Temahlubi Dlamini. The former is rated 1 560 while the latter is rated 1 362.

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