Mdina ready with chess sponsorship

Mdina Business Solutions have told the Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) to set the date for the annual K800 000 (about $2 666) tournament in Blantyre as they are ready to bankroll the event.

However, in an e-mail message, the company’s managing director, Tiwone Mdina, told The Nation that they would love to have the competition this November.

“We are just waiting for the officials to decide the dates for the competition, but we would be excited to have it this November,” wrote Mdina.

The competition, which is probably the richest chess contest in the country in terms of individual prizes, is held in September each year since 2010, but his year’s edition has not yet been held because the Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) wants SRCL to first fill positions of chairperson and vice-chairperson.

The SRCL is being run by caretaker chairperson Eric Kazembe who took over from interim chairperson Stanley Mtuwa who resigned after being transferred to Lilongwe. Mtuwa was elected vice-chairperson, but was elevated after former chairperson Stanley Mpinganjira was removed from office.

According to Chessam publicist Gilton Mkumbwa, they would like to have the Mdina competition after the SRCL elections on November 3.

“We are discussing the dates, but that will be done after the elections,” said Mkumbwa who added that so far, no one has shown interest to vie for the top two positions.

Kajani Kaunda won the inaugural Mdina title whereas Edgar Khan is the defending champion.

The winner gets K50 000 (about $166) prize and a trophy.