JG Zuma Chess Tournament brings excitement for KZN youth

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President Jacob Zuma has once again praised the role of the sport of chess in sharpening the minds of the players especially the youth.

He was addressing participants and guests at the JG Zuma Chess Tournament organized by the Jacob Zuma Foundation in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation in Mandeni, on the KZN north coast, on Friday 22 December.

The Tournament saw hundreds of youngsters from different districts around the Province participating in a day-long competition. On his arrival President Zuma tested his chess moves against a few participants.

President Zuma, who is also a very fond and skilled player of the game said one of the reasons he supports the sport was because it was in line with his love for the development of education, which has seen his foundation producing almost 500 university graduates from needy families across the country.

The President also singled out the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation for its sterling work in supporting chess and all other sporting codes. Zuma said he would be very happy one day to see some of the young chess players developed through this initiative participating in international competition.

He added that the Foundation is also involved in other initiatives aimed at keeping the youth active during the holiday period. These include the JG Zuma Soccer Tournament (supported by the Department), which takes place on Saturday, 23 December in Eshowe, the annual children’s Christmas, fun run and ingoma.

The Department supports many initiatives as part of its holiday season programme aimed at encouraging responsible behavior, water safety and active and healthy lifestyles, including the beach festivals taking place as follows:

Umzumbe Beach Festival - Saturday, 23 December

Blythedale Beach Festival – 26-27 December

Margate Beach Festival – 29 December.

Vision

A healthy, winning, and socially cohesive province through sport and recreation.

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