Congolese national wins 1st African Draughts-64 tourney

Zambian based Congolese draughts player, Richard Mwammba, was on Tuesday night crowned ‘International Draughts Grand Master’ after winning the first ever African Draughts-64 Championship held at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka, Zambia.

Mwammba, emerged winner after scoring 14 points after “Round 9” beating his closest rival Moses Winesi, from Malawi who scored 13 points leaving him astonished after the loss.

Mwammba, was awarded USD$500, trophy, gold medal and a Diploma.

Announcing the results, Suzyo Nkhoma, the Assistant Arbiter for the championship said nine rounds were played from the time the tourney started on the 23^rd July, 2016 till the 26^th July, 2016 stating that 24 players from six countries participated in the heavily contested tournament.

Zambia had (11) players, Malawi (6), Uganda (3), Zimbabwe (2), Ethiopia (1), and Congo D.R (1).

And International Draughts Federation (IDF) President Vlandimir Langin, who spoke through his interpreter Alexander Nikiforov, who is also the IDF Tournament Director described the first ever African Draughts-64 tourney in Zambia as a success.

Langin, said the challenge remains with the Zambia Draughts Federation (ZDF) to consider submitting an application to host the next African Draughts tourney scheduled for 2018.

He congratulated the newly crowned grand master and thanked the OYDC management for the support, hospitality and the good sporting facilities used to host the first ever successful tournament.

Meanwhile, Zambia Draughts Federation (ZDF) President Tetani Mwanza, thanked the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development, participants, OYDC for the support towards the tournament.