Malawi to introduce Braille Chess

The Malawi Paralympic Committee (MPC) is hoping to introduce chess for the persons with visual impairment this year.

Speaking to Capital FM, MPC Vice President Joseph Galanje highlighted this as part of several other plans for the year 2023.

“We are planning to launch chess for the visually impaired and we will have to prepare for various local and international events,” Galanje said.

Once launched, the sport will be affiliated to the International Braille Chess Association (IBCA), an organization for blind and visually impaired chess players.

The IBCA is an affiliate of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and part of the International Blind Sports Federation.

MPC has since reiterated its confidence in overcoming stigma targeted at local athletes with various disabilities.

Meanwhile, Acting Executive Secretary for the Malawi National Council of Sports, Shephord Boma, has given assurance that the Council will continue to support local Paralympics’ participation in international events.

The local Paralympic athletes will this year be hoping to secure a spot at Paris 2024, with qualifiers set for Morocco and Dubai later in the year.