Mdina tops up for venue crisis
The venue crisis surrounding this year’s edition of the Mdina Chess Championship has been sorted after the South Africa-based sponsor topped administration fees.
The sixth edition of the championship was nearly thrown into turmoil after Victoria Hotel hiked its fees.
However, the league, hotel and sponsor reached an understanding and Mdina added about K150,000 to use the venue.
Southern Region Chess League chairperson, Terrence Namaona, was delighted that the issue was resolved amicably.
“As a result of market forces that have prevailed between the time we wrote our proposal and had it approved, the prices of services at our venue changed. Consequently we have been in discussion with various stakeholders to overcome the challenge.
“We are grateful to our sponsors, Tiwone Mdina and Wezi Chipeta; who have maintained an open policy in order to ensure information symmetry so as to facilitate successful hosting of the tournament. We are also appreciative of similar gestures from the Management of Victoria Hotel,” he said.
Namaona said as a league they would package the tournament in different aspects.
“We are optimistic that Mdina Chess 06 tournament will be a great success as well as memorable,” he said.
Speaking in a telephone interview from South Africa, Mdina said he had deposited K150,000 to the SRCL account to help address the issue.
Currently, Peter Jailosi is the title holder while never fading veteran Kajani Kaunda won the first edition. Edgar Khan won the second championship before Chiletso Chipanga won the third. Malawi’s first ever Fide Master Gerald Mphungu lifted the fourth edition.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
