Over 200 flip up as Akright chess membership opens doorways at Bwebajja
David GOMBE
Greater than 200 individuals turned up on Saturday on the Palm Valley Golf Course in Akright Metropolis, Bwebajja alongside Entebbe Street, for the official launch of the Akright Chess Membership. The turnout introduced collectively residents and non-residents of Akright Metropolis, together with kids, vacation makers, dad and mom and chess lovers from surrounding communities.
The visitor of honour was the President of the Uganda Chess Federation, Central Area, [Insert full name], who spoke about the advantages of chess for each younger and previous minds.
“Chess teaches the thoughts to suppose earlier than it acts, and that behavior serves a toddler in school simply as a lot because it serves an grownup at work,” the Federation President mentioned. “What we’re opening at the moment is just not solely a chess membership. It’s a place the place a complete group can study to suppose higher.”
He added that the brand new membership suits instantly into the Federation’s plans for the area.
“The Federation needs at the very least three chess golf equipment in each district in Central Uganda,” he mentioned. “The opening of the Akright Chess Membership strikes us nearer to that objective, and the Federation will assist this membership to develop.”
Nationwide Crew Chess Coach, Mathias Ssonko Allan, was additionally in attendance and spoke concerning the alternative the membership creates for residents of Akright and surrounding areas.
“Chess is a sport that unites individuals,” Coach Ssonko mentioned. “This membership will create a household right here in Akright. It would convey togetherness, as a result of the board doesn’t ask the place you come from or how previous you might be. It solely asks you to sit down down and play. The chance in entrance of those younger individuals may be very large.”
He mentioned the sport reaches far past the board.
“Chess will open doorways to the world. I’ve seen it occur with a number of proficient kids, and it’s a huge alternative for the kids of Akright.”
The membership is guided by an appearing Govt Committee led by Agnes Asobola, along with fellow founding members Mwanje Nassir, Dr. Eng. Peter Byamugisha, Pr. Asobola Frank, Nicholas Kambale and Carol Mwanje.
“We constructed this membership on three phrases: inclusion, alternative and oneness,” mentioned Agnes Asobola. “Everybody has a seat on the board, whether or not you’re a youngster taking your first lesson or a participant who has been at it for years. Our doorways are open to the entire group.”
The founding members mentioned the membership was constructed to serve the entire group, not solely those that already know the sport.
“We’re beginning with what a group wants – a spot to sit down down, study and belong,” mentioned Mwanje Nassir. “Each member who walks in right here will discover a coach, a board and somebody to play towards.”
The launch additionally attracted Nationwide Crew chess gamers [Insert player name 1] and [Insert player name 2], who mentioned the brand new membership will assist push the sport additional within the nation.
“A membership like this one is how the sport grows,” mentioned [Insert player name]. “The gamers who will symbolize Uganda in ten years are sitting at these boards at the moment.”
Akright Metropolis management backs the membership
The launch additionally attracted the Akright Metropolis management, led by the President of Akright Metropolis, [Insert full name], who mentioned residents had been excited from the second they heard a chess membership was coming.
> “When our residents heard {that a} chess membership was coming to Akright, the joy was speedy,” the Akright Metropolis President mentioned. “This membership will likely be a uniting issue for our individuals, younger and previous. Our hope is that it grows into the very best membership within the area.”
Soccer academies join gamers
The launch drew curiosity from soccer academies within the space, amongst them Star Hearts Sports activities Academy. The Academy Director, Isma Mulumba, spoke concerning the worth of chess for younger footballers and signed up all the kids in his academy to hitch the membership and start coaching.
> “Chess makes a footballer extra centered, extra strategic and extra resilient,” Mulumba mentioned. “A participant who learns to learn a chess board learns to learn a match. That’s the reason we’re bringing all our academy kids to this membership.”
*Dad and mom join kids on the spot*
Dad and mom on the launch have been desirous to enrol their kids, with many signing up earlier than leaving the venue. Some registered kids as younger as three years previous and weren’t keen to attend for a later date, saying that they had been impressed by the very younger gamers who have been already enjoying with confidence.
An AI-powered digital teaching platform
On the identical occasion, the membership unveiled an AI-powered digital chess teaching platform, which members can entry via the membership web site. The platform permits gamers to coach and construct their abilities on-line, alongside teaching from the membership’s national-level tutors.
Membership officers mentioned the platform was designed for members who can’t at all times be current bodily, in order that distance, journey or a busy week doesn’t cease a member from enhancing.
Tutorials start in October
The membership will start chess tutorials on Saturday, 3 October 2026. Periods will run each Saturday morning from 9:00am to 1:00pm on the Palm Valley Golf Course and on the Ark Gardens, each in Akright Metropolis, Bwebajja. The month of September has been put aside for membership registration, and all new and returning members have been requested to register earlier than periods start.
Teaching will likely be dealt with by a group that features Nationwide Crew Coach Mathias Ssonko Allan, a FIDE licensed coach. Membership officers mentioned the teaching line-up is without doubt one of the strongest accessible within the nation. [Please confirm the exact wording of Coach Ssonko’s FIDE qualification before publication.]
Membership officers mentioned video games are open to anybody who needs to play, and that boards and items are supplied on the venue, so newcomers don’t must convey their very own set. Particulars of membership and coaching packages can be found from the membership.
