THANKS to tangible sponsorship from The Trophy Stall in Bourda Market and City Mall, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) is in a position to start their first tournament for both Junior and Senior players this Saturday at the Keishar’s Sports Club on Hadfield Street.
At a simple presentation held in front of their Bourda Market outlet, proprietor and managing director of Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich, handed over a cheque for $30 000 and trophies valued at another $50 000 to secretary of the GCF Shiv Nandalall. In an invited comment, Sunich said it’s the second time he is partnering with the GCF and has no qualms doing so, since he feels chess can help place Guyana on the international sporting map.
“The Trophy Stall is once again pleased to be sponsoring another chess tournament. As the proprietor of The Trophy Stall, I believe that chess continues to make considerable strides in Guyana but is in need of greater business support. Chess is a major international sport with a worldwide following.
Chess has the opportunity of placing Guyana on the international sporting map. There are a number of players who, if given the support, can make our country proud in chess. But they need support in the form of sponsorship and they need more tournaments so that they can be active competitively,” posited Sunich.
He continued, “For this reason, I promised that in the interest of the further development of the sport, I would each year provide full sponsorship of a tournament. Another reason why I am pleased to be sponsoring this tournament is chess has a number of educational benefits for both children and adults. Chess is not a game of luck and chance.
It is a game that develops the mind. It has been known to provide benefits to children in their studies. As such in sponsoring this tournament, I would like to make a special appeal to parents to encourage their children to develop their brainpower through chess. It will help them make them better students. Chess is also a healthy form of recreation for the entire family. 
I wish all those who will be participating in the tournament the best of luck and I promise to continue to provide assistance to the Guyana Chess Federation.”
Nandalall thanked the sponsor for his timely contribution for the second successive year, on behalf of the GCF, who he said would be able to have an early start with their programmes for this year and stated that the first three finishers in both the junior and senior category will receive trophies while the most improved player will also receive a trophy.
Registrations for the eight-round Swiss System tournament will take place at 14:00 h at the playing venue, with the seniors being asked to pay $800 and juniors $600, while both junior and senior players will be asked to pay a reduced fee.
For further information, interested persons can contact Nandalall on Tel. 225-8270 (office hours) or the tournament director Irshad Mohammed on 664-1650.