British Grandmaster donates to GCA

British Chess Grandmaster, Nigel Short has donated 600 Chess sets worth USD 10,000 to the Ghana Chess Association (GCA) during the opening of the fifth edition of the President’s Cup at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.

The President’s Cup organized in collaboration with GCA and the Kasparov Chess Foundation is to promote and develop the sport in Ghana.

The competition which spans from 1- July 5 is expected to draw 30 participants including 20 locals and 10 foreigners from Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo with a prize fund of USD 3,000 for the last three.

According to the former world title contender, the items were presented to develop the sport and make it the most competitive and attractive discipline.

Short told GNA Sports ‘‘I want to see the sport develop in strength and in number, make it competitive and attractive.

"It is a general issue in Africa that there is often shortage in equipment. So the items will help introduce people to the game.

‘‘Chess is a minority sport in Ghana and people presume it is for the wealthy but I see it to be the cheapest game to play.

"This is a strange perception because Chess is for everyone and the nice thing about it is, it doesn’t matter the age or the gender. It’s a great game for training the intellects and students who play the game have better academic results’’.

The Vice President of GCA Phillip Ameku expressed gratitude and promised to develop and promote the sport across the country with plans to reach the community and schools.