Kenya to feature in World Chess Paralympics 2020
Kenya is among the 30 countries that qualified to participate in the first World Chess Paralympics in 2020. The competition will take place from 28th July 28 until 5th August 2020, in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.
Kenya is among the few countries in the world that embraced inclusivity by including tournaments for players living with disabilities. In 2019, Chess Kenya hosted the first Kenya National Championship for Persons Livings With Disabilities. Kenya currently has just over 100 chess players living with disabilities.
Benard Wanjala the Chess Kenya President, who is currently in Abu Dhabi for FIDE Congress, was the first to break the good news. He expressed his confidence that this will go along way boost morale of the players. “We started this program of integrating people living with disabilities, and we have seen transformation among this special family. We call upon the Ministry of Sports and other well-wishers to support the team.”
The idea for the Chess Paralympics was first mooted by FIDE Vice President Nigel Short in Bratislava, Slovakia in 2019.
World Championship for Disabled
It is interesting to note that Kenya has featured in an international event for disabled players before. Clement Miheso played in the 2nd World Chess Championship for Disabled. The event took part from 17th to 25th October 2015 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Dresden, Germany.
Teams
Russia the host country is entitled to have one team:
Nine teams will represent Europe:
1. Poland
2. Israel
3. Hungary
4. Croatia
5. Germany
6. Czech Republic
7. Belarus
8. Romania
9. Montenegro
Seven teams will represent Asia.
1. Kazakhstan
2. India
3. Philippines
4. Iran
5. Bangladesh
6. Uzbekistan
7. Kyrgyzstan
Six teams will represent America.
1. Cuba
2. Venezuela
3. Colombia
4. Brazil
5. USA
6. Panama
Five teams will represent Africa.
1. Egypt
2. Zambia
3. Uganda
4. Zimbabwe
5. Kenya
The FIDE President will nominate two teams.
Links
GM Ashley meets Kenyan star Aditya Shah who is a visually impaired player in a historic encounter.