After being postponed to 2021 and 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 44th edition of the World Chess Olympiad is being held in India from July 29 to August 9, 2022. The Burundi Chess Federation prepares accordingly to participate in this international tournament. Speaking to the editorial staff of the daily Le Renouveau, on Wednesday July 20, 2022, the president of this federation Wilfried Ntamatungiro indicated that a team made up of 10 players, including 5 boys and 5 girls, is undergoing intense training to prepare for this competition. .
According to Mr. Ntamatungiro, the players who will go to India are made up of those who are used to international competitions and those who are new to this kind of competition. Among the boys, it is Dieudonné Muheto, current national vice-champion; Joe Stephane Rukundo, a young person under 20; Hugues Mutabazi ranked among the top five nationally; Elvis Havyarimana and Abdoul Arakaza who will be a replacement. Among the girls, it is Noëlla Mugisha, current national vice-champion; Crown of Glory Ingabire, Arlène Antoine Sezerano, Arielle Kaneza Riragendanwa and at the replacement position is Kelly Karelle Kaze, a 13-year-old youngster. “To choose these players, there were playoffs where we kept the first five,” said Mr. Ntamatungiro.
Preparing them to be strong
Regarding the choice of these newcomers to participate in this World Olympiad, he explains that the federation took into account their performance and their national ranking. It is also to get them used to international competitions so that in the future they become extremely strong.
As for the preparation of these ten players selected to better represent the country, Mr. Ntamatungiro indicates that the International Chess Federation (Fide) has sent international coaches to help in their training.
By participating in this 2022 World Olympiad, Mr. Ntamatungiro hopes that the Burundian chess team will improve its international ranking. The players will also have an international ranking, since there are those who do not. It should be noted that a Burundian referee named Déo Ntagasigumwami has been chosen to referee in this international competition.
