Bret Kamutenga
THE Zimbabwe Chess Federation on Thursday acknowledged Babongile Mushonga as part of the country’s delegation set to travel to Greece for the Fide 2023 World School Chess Championships.
This was done through a letter that the federation’s secretary general wrote to Mushonga’s mother Sukoluhle Ndlovu stating that they validate the young chess prodigy as a delegate.
“This letter serves to notify that Babongile Chelsea Mushonga is part of the delegation set to represent Zimbabwe at the 2023 World School Chess Championships scheduled for Rhodhes, Greece from 13-23 April 2023.This is the biggest world chess competition for school going children and an opportunity for Babongile Mushonga to shine on the world stage. Please assist her to reach and compete at this crucial competition,” said Mapingire.
Ndlovu said they were grateful to ZCF and they had already paid a deposit for their daughter’s hotel accommodation in Greece adding that they were still seeking US$1 900 for her plane ticket.
Mushonga (10), who goes to Coghlan Primary School, is a leading chess player in the Under-12 girls category who started playing the game when she was six years old after her father taught her how to play the game.
Her first chess competition was in 2018 when she was in Early Childhood Development (ECD) B at Coghlan Primary School where she competed at the Bulawayo Polytechnic and won a bronze medal and a certificate.
The second tournament she attended was at Founders High School the following year where she again won a bronze medal.
She has participated and dominated in past competitions since January 2022.
The youngster joined Victoria Falls-based Ally Chess Academy in August 2022 and she has participated in major tournaments.
She played at National University of Science and Technology (Nust) and won a gold medal. She is a four-time gold medallist in the girls Under-12 category.
