The Tanzania Chess Association (TACA) has congratulated Aga Khan School’s chess team for delivering an impressive performance at the recently concluded FIDE World Schools Championship held in Cape Town, South Africa.
TACA Information Officer Mussa Mangula said the team represented Tanzania with distinction at the continental tournament, which brought together 26 schools from 24 African countries.
Although the Tanzanian side did not finish among the top three teams, Mangula described the fifth-place finish as a major achievement, highlighting the players’ commitment and competitive spirit on the international stage.
“Competing against 26 schools from 24 African countries, the team secured an impressive fifth place with a total of 126 points. Kudos to Mhina Mika, George Riaan, Devanshi Singh, and Aditya Rathore for showcasing determination, talent, and fighting spirit. Tanzania is proud of your achievement,” he said.
The performance, he added, demonstrates the growing strength of chess development in Tanzania and the ability of local players to compete against some of the best schools across Africa.
Meanwhile, TACA has intensified preparations for the upcoming Mozambique Rapid Chess Tournament scheduled for August 20–23 in Maputo, where two Tanzanian players will represent the country.
Mangula said the selected players, Nasra Parsa and Neema Chisanga, are undergoing intensive training sessions at Don Bosco Upanga campus under coach Hemed Mlawa.
“The two players are training very hard, and I believe they will perform well at the Mozambique competition and hopefully return with medals for Tanzania,” he said.
Parsa was selected after winning the men’s category, while Chisanga was the women’s category runner-up. The duo will travel to Mozambique alongside TACA President Geoffrey Mwanyika.
Mangula previously said the selection reflects TACA’s commitment to promoting competitive chess and providing Tanzanian players with opportunities to gain international exposure and experience.
“As part of its commitment to expanding international exposure for Tanzanian players, TACA is pleased to announce the nomination of two outstanding players to represent Tanzania at the Mozambique Rapid Chess Tournament following the allocation of two participation slots to Tanzania,” he said.
He added that the association is also preparing for a busy international chess calendar in 2026, including the Mozambique Rapid Chess Tournament and the Chess Olympiad scheduled for September.
According to Mangula, training sessions have brought together players, captains, coaches and technical officials in a structured programme aimed at improving team coordination, competitive readiness and overall performance.
The 46th Chess Olympiad will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15–28, 2026, and is expected to attract more than 200 teams from around the world.
