Omusati selects top three for national champs
The Omusati Chess Association, formerly known as Zone Seven, has selected its top players to represent the region at the National Schools Individual Chess Championships in Windhoek next month.
The standout players were selected at the Omusati Regional Schools Individual Chess Championships, recently concluded at Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila Resource and Vocational School in Outapi.
Held under the auspices of the Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) and main sponsor Bank Windhoek, the annual event previously operated under a zonal system.
It has now adopted a regional championship structure as part of the NCF’s efforts to enhance visibility of the showpiece.
A total of 84 players from schools across the region competed in a seven-round Swiss system tournament across the U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19 Open and girls’ sections, battling for medals and top honours.
Selected champions
The U19 Open section was won by Erwin Shalongo, who clinched gold ahead of Gustav Kahelewa in second place and Tukondjelomwene Ndafelai in third.
In the U19 girls’ section, Lovis Shiwedha took gold ahead of Maria Shuuya in second position and Lovisa Ndinelago Iipinge in third.
U17 Open: 1 Adolf Amiti, 2 George Hedimbi, 3 Walter Kalola.
U17 girls: 1 Gisbertha Haipinge, 2 Esther Kanyemba, 3 Vilizensiya Tomas.
U15 Open: 1 Ronald Shilongo, 2 Lemar Petrus, 3 Matti Tangeni Haipinge.
U15 girls: 1 Lea Kambuta, 2 Eva Hamufungu, 3 Aina Ketu Shaanika.
U13 Open: 1 Ruben Hembili, 2 Craven Abraham, 3 Ebenezzer Taapopi.
U13 girls: 1 Lusia Ndeshipanda Ashinkono, 2 Albertina Ndagwedha Fabian, 3 Namatama Bitrice Njekwa.
U11 Open: 1 Verner Haipinge, 2 Shali Sonio Haiduwa, 3 Israel Mwawedange Hafeni.
U11 girls: 1 Grace Ethingo, 2 Lavinia Shikongo (only participants).
U9 Open: 1 Rainhold Shikongo (sole participant).
There were no entries for the U9 girls’ section.
U7 girls: 1 Meriam Shikongo (sole participant).
There were no entries for the U7 Open section.
Notable achievements
These players will now represent the Omusati region at the nationals next month, where the top three in each section will qualify to represent Namibia at the African Schools Individual Championships later this year.
Reflecting on the tournament, Omusati chess chairperson Lydia Povanhu highlighted the impressive performance of the U7 sole participant, Shikongo.
“[As she was the only participant in the section,] she was paired in the U11 Open section, which had a full field, and impressed by finishing among the section’s top three performers,” she said.
Povanhu also praised Shilongo’s performance in the U15 Open, where he scored an impressive 6.5/7, dropping only half a point after drawing one game.
Another dominant display came from Amiti in the U17 Open, where he recorded a strong 6/7 score.
Acknowledgements
The Omusati chess chairperson congratulated the winners and wished them well at the next stage of the competition in the capital.
“We thank the NCF and main sponsor Bank Windhoek for making this tournament possible, and the management at the Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila Resource and Vocational School for providing the venue.
“We would also like to thank the small businesses who supported us, including Paulina Nambele, Kabenny Investments, Petrina Hatutale and Hatrina Trading, for helping make the venue presentable.
“Thank you to the parents who allowed the learners to participate and to the supporters [for their motivation],” she said.
Gratitude was also extended to the arbiters’ team of three-time and reigning national champion Candidate Master (CM) Heskiel Ndahangwapo, Gisbertha Haipinge, Silas Aron and conditional CM Linekela Itembu.
