Queensway donates $500K towards Chess team India sojourn

Queensway Group of Companies has donated G$500,000 to the local chess team set to compete in this year’s FIDE Chess Olympiad hosted in Chennai, India.

Nearly 200 countries are set to compete in the 44th edition of this biennial event, which takes place this year between July 28th and August 10th

.The ten-member team that will represent Guyana includes Guyana’s youngest ever  National Women’s Champion, 14-year-old Pooja Lam as well as former Women’s 2020 Champion Sasha Shariff.

Also on the women’s team is Nellisha Johnson, who is no stranger to this event as she has competed in the 2018 Olympiad.

Present on the team as well is Jessica Callender, who competed in the last two FIDE  online Olympiads.

According to a release, the women’s team is rounded out by its youngest member 12-year-old Anaya Lall, who is the only deaf chess player to ever represent Guyana in an international event.

The men’s team features Candidate Master Taffin Khan and Fide Master Anthony Drayton who are also no strangers to this event and will be aiming for higher chess titles this time around.

Seasoned players Roberto Neto and Loris Nathoo, who both have an extensive list of victories under their belt throughout the years, have yet again shown their prowess at the game by qualifying to represent Guyana in this event.

Last but not least is Ethan Lee who has represented Guyana multiple times in regional chess events and finished in top positions for most of this year’s chess events, inclusive of the National Junior Qualifiers and Championship.

The Guyanese-owned Queensway Group of Companies (QGC) provides a range of goods and services to the local market inclusive of; security, import and distribution, transportation and equipment rental, alternative energy solutions, mining and quarry, real estate and medical care.

Part of Queensway’s mission statement is a recognition of its responsibility to not just customers and employees but also the wider society.

As such, the Guyana Chess Federation is elated that they chose to assist the country’s young chess players in their journey to represent Guyana as they strive toward developing themselves through the advancement of the sport.

The Guyana Chess Federation wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Queensway for their generous contribution to the team’s travel expenses.

The Olympiad team departed Guyana and is expected to arrive on July 27th in Chennai.