Team Kenya off for the World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad
The World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad started this week in Eindhoven, Netherlands and runs from 12th to 19th August 2023. A total of 63 teams from 47 countries are participating.
Four talented youngsters and a captain will represent Kenya.
The Kenyan team comprises Hawi Kaloki (U16 Champion), Paul Olando (U14 Champion), Kyle Kuka (joint Runners Up U14) and Bernice Gikandi (U18 Champion). Phyllis Ngigi will captain the team.
Details of the Team Members
Bernice Gikandi, 12, has an outstanding record, having moved from her current age to compete in the U18 and winning it. The experienced Bernice has represented Kenya in the Africa Youth 2021 in Ghana, Africa Youth 2022 in Lusaka, Zambia and The World Youth in Batumi, Georgia. She is a grade-A student of St Peters Juja.
Hawi Kaloki has been rising steadily and clinched the national title for the first time this year. It will be his first international assignment, and he is a student at Brookside Preparatory School.
Paul Olando has been a consistent player winning the national championship three times, first when he was just 12. He represented Kenya at the 2021 Africa Youth Chess Championships in Ghana, and at the African Schools Chess Championship held in Kenya the same year. Paul is a pupil at Moi Educational Center.
Kyle Kuka is also a consistent player, having finished runners-up in several national competitions. His first international event was at the 2022 African Youth Chess Championship in Lusaka, Zambia. He is a student at St. Bakhita School.
Other details
Kenya last participated in this championship in 2017 with two teams who found the going tough and ended up in 25th & 29th in the ranking out of 30 teams.
The event has attracted teams worldwide and will bring together the finest players from top chess nations such as Russia, India, China, and Israel. Uganda, Morocco and South Africa are the other African representatives.
Parents, Chess Kenya and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) funded the travel costs.
Links
Live broadcasts are available onFIDE YouTube
Photos can be used only for media reporting about the event, with credit given to the Royal Dutch Chess Federation and photographer whose name you can find in the name of the file.
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Article by Kenya Chess Masala.
