Alliance One Boosts Chess Project Funding to K28 Million
The project, which aims to develop chess at the grassroots level in rural areas, was launched four years ago as a pilot initiative in two primary schools in Dowa with a sponsorship of K2.1 million.
LILONGWE, Malawi — Alliance One Tobacco, in collaboration with Pyxus Agriculture Limited and Imperial Brands of the United Kingdom, has increased its sponsorship of the Chess School Project implemented by the Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) in 21 rural primary schools in the central and northern regions to over K28 million, writes Isaac Kambwiri.
The project, which aims to develop chess at the grassroots level in rural areas, was launched four years ago as a pilot initiative in two primary schools in Dowa with a sponsorship of K2.1 million.
"We have committed ourselves to continue supporting Chessam because our aim is to eradicate the probability of children being involved in child labor issues in tobacco-growing areas, especially after school hours," said Simon Peverelle, Managing Director of Alliance One Tobacco Malawi.
Peverelle added, "Chess is one indoor sport which helps kids think fast and master problem-solving techniques, which I believe will also help the kids from the 21 selected primary schools to do the same and perform better in class."
Mpilo Mizere, Chessam President, commended the companies for increasing the sponsorship from K12 million to around K28 million this year, allowing the association to continue training more pupils in rural areas.
"Let me commend the management of the two companies for their commitment to continue sponsoring this program and also increasing the financial sponsorship to around K28 million this year," Mizere said.
"This will enable our association to take the game of chess to rural areas where we will continue to identify and nurture more raw talent of the sport."
Fran Malila, Alliance One Corporate Affairs Manager, expressed satisfaction with how Chessam is managing the project, stating, "It's been interesting to see how the kids have developed in as far as playing chess is concerned, and definitely, we will continue sponsoring this project because we want to see more children taking part in this sport so that in the process they shouldn't be involved in any tobacco-related labour."