Efforts to resuscitate Chess underway in Rupununi

Feb 21, 2011 Sports

Efforts have commenced to resuscitate Chess in the Rupununi area with the staging of the first tournament at Lethem in over 15 years last week.
The Mashramani tournament held at Debbie Nichols Snackette at Lethem, was organised and sponsored by Telford ‘Teddy’ Mitchell, who was also the coordinator, and had cash prizes and trophies at stake.

Tournament winner Leonard Pompey (left) collects his prize from Youth and Sports officer Megan Thomas.

Megan Thomas, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport officer in the area, declared the event open, calling for the game to be spread around the entire Rupununi area with emphasis in the schools. She pledged any assistance the ministry could offer to aid the forward thrust, which is in keeping with the direction of Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Sport and the Guyana Chess Federation.
Eight persons competed with Leonard Pompey emerging the winner ahead of Telford Mitchell. The prizes were handed over after the completion of the competition.