Grenada’s Team leaves to participate for first time at Chess Olympiad

Grenada celebrates a groundbreaking milestone with its inaugural representation at the 45^th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary. The Chess team from the island took off for the event on Sunday, marking a proud moment for the nation.

Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell along with the acting Minister of Youth and Sports Delma, Thomas, and Senator Seville Francis were present at the Maurice Bishop International Airport to extend good wishes and bid farewell to the players.

The 45^th Chess Olympiad this year will feature more than 2500 players across 200 different nations. The President of the Grenada Chess Federation, Ruggles Ferguson stated that the participation of players on an international platform will provide them a great exposure, ultimately leading them to success.

“Grenada is one of those 200 countries participating in the tournament. It is great exposure for our players, and we hope that when they return, it will be an inspiration for other young people to pick up chess,” the President said.

Ruggles further noted that the chess Olympiad is equally considered to be the Olympics of chess and highlighted that a 10-member squad including 5 males and 5 females will represent the country.

The female squad includes Achazia Lewis, Naziyah James, Rockisha Flanders, Tauriel Frank, and Bernel Chitan which will be led by captain Denise Bouah.

On the other hand, the male squad will include Renniel Gilbert, Vladimir Mendez, Gennard Roberts, Tyler Thomas, and Javon James which will be led by captain Carlyle Glean.

The players in full enthusiasm were seen excited over representing the nation for the first time at an international platform. One of them stated, “It is a wonderful experience to travel and represent my fellow countrymen in this event because Grenada, this is the first time that we’re traveling and we are representing history.”

The authorities emphasized that their participation is crucial for the island nation to provide it with international recognition.

“We are incredibly proud of this historic representation and encourage our youth to embrace chess, not only for the growth of the sport but also for their personal development,’ they said.

Notably, the Chess Federation of Grenada was established in May 2019 with the aim of promoting the indoor sport and encouraging the young generation to train better in it. The sport has since then been implemented as necessary in all the primary or secondary schools in Grenada.

This year however saw a significant boost in the emerging popularity of the sport and a national championship was also conducted earlier in May, the winners of which are introduced into the team.