LET'S HAVE EQUALITY IN ALL SPORTING FRATERNITY - URGES CHONGWE MAYOR

CHONGWE Mayor Christopher Habeenzu has called for equality in the sporting fraternity to contribute towards socioeconomic development in the country.

Closing the K60, 000-rich inaugural 2022 Chongwe Mayoral Chess tournament held at the University of Lusaka (UNILUS), Habeenzu said the active diversion of attention to all sports plays a large role in intensifying various types of opportunities for the marginalized groups in the country.

"The UPND government under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema places great importance in the equalisation of sports disciplines in the country. I therefore, encourage women and youth to continue to rise to the occasion and be counted as the government continues to level the playing field for all sports disciplines," he said.

He was happy that the event attracted participants from across the country and was glad to note that both women and school going children participated in the various categories.

He challenged all who participated in the four- day tournament to actively participate in the development of the game.

Habeenzu said he believed that productivity plays a large role in creating youth groups that would eventually play an active role in the development of the country.

He hailed UNILUS for their contribution towards making the event possible and challenged the corporate world to come on board and support chess.

He said chess as a sport will help better the mental development of the people through intellectual stimulation.

And Chess Federation of Zambia vice-president Leslie Chikuse thanked the mayor for partnering with the federation in fundraising money for the event and hosting the competition in Chongwe.

Chikuse said his team would make sure that the contest should be held yearly.

He said the tournament would go a long way in helping build skills and the mental capacity among the players.