Chess has been introduced to schools in Region Six as part of government’s efforts to revitalize its competitiveness across the country.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony whose initiative it was to renew interest in the game, donated chess sets to the New Amsterdam, JC Chandisingh, Corentyne, Skeldon, Line Path and Tagore Memorial Secondary Schools and the Berbice High School during a visit to the region recently.

A Government Information Agency (GINA) release stated that the minister was accompanied by Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Chairman of Region Six Zulficar Mustapha, Community and Education Officers of the region.

The minister donated 30 chess sets to the various schools and engaged in discussions with the teachers and students who are the major stakeholders in the promotion of the programme.

According to GINA, the Region Six chairman lauded the idea of launching the programme in the region, adding that it would help students to increase awareness and knowledge about the game.

Anthony established an interim chess management committee late last year to place the event high on Guyana’s sporting agenda.

Among the main priorities of the committee was to introduce the programme in schools to encourage youths to develop interest in the game since it has a significant impact on their learning capabilities.

“What is important is that you make full use of it, (chess sets) so we have decided to provide the teachers and students with training so that you know about the game and its rules,” Anthony is quoted by GINA as saying.

Meanwhile, a special workshop will soon be hosted in the region to train the teachers and students and through various competitions students will be prepared to participate in the National Schools Chess Championships which will be hosted for the first time by the end of this year.

Anthony said the Director of Sport who is a representative of the Inter-Guiana Games Committee is working on including chess in the list of events for the next Inter-Guiana Games, GINA stated.

GINA also said that the involvement of schools in chess at the primary level will also be a future priority of the ministry.