Teachers undergo chess training after sport's inclusion in school games

Chess Kenya Federation has begun a countrywide training programme for teachers following the introduction of chess into the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association calendar.

Chess was officially incorporated into secondary schools last year during the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association games in Kakamega, where Kenya dominated, winning 12 medals.

The chess competition will be held during the second term of the secondary school games. Primary and junior school students will also take part.

Head of Chess in Schools Saphinah Kenyando said they aim to train teachers across the country as coaches and arbiters ahead of the rollout of the game in schools.

She spoke at Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho in Kisii during the opening of a three-day capacity-building session for 40 teachers drawn from across the country. She said the teachers will, in turn, train others at the sub-county level. Team Kenya coach Benjamin Magana conducted the training.

“Now that chess has been adopted into the KSSSA calendar as a competitive sport, we have teamed up with the Ministry of Education to train teachers across the country. Training of teachers is one of the responsibilities of Chess Kenya Federation,” she said.

Kenyando, who is also the federation’s Kisii branch chairperson, added: “Chess is a tool for education, mental health, and discipline. Chess is the sport that every student needs to play.”

Kenyando and Magana noted that the inclusion of chess in the KSSSA calendar was a game-changer for the sport in the country.

“This is a success story. This will allow students to showcase their talent,” she said.

Magana said Kenya could become a chess powerhouse in Africa following the introduction of the sport in the KSSSA calendar.

“The majority of the talent is in public schools. It’s only a matter of time before we have super-talented kids who will become the first Kenyan international masters and grandmasters. It’s a step in the right direction,” said the veteran player.

He said similar trainings have been conducted in Mombasa, Kakamega and Elgeyo Marakwet.

“The trainings are ongoing in various parts of the country by several trainers. Next month, I will be in West Pokot. Teachers need to be equipped to train the students. We want them to be ready for the second term,” Magana said.

Magana and Kenyando urged teachers to embrace chess.