Chess champions Taffin Khan and Anthony Drayton collect accolades at GCF ceremony

Dec 04, 2012 Sports

Errol Tiwari honoured for sterling contribution to sport

After an especially hectic year where chess players travelled to several rural communities to compete for lucrative accolades, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) hosted a reception at the Olympic House, Kingston, where those players that were engaged in the just concluded National Chess Championships, convened at the same venue to receive their prizes, Friday evening last.
Defending three times senior champion, Taffin Khan, and his junior counterpart, Anthony Drayton, led 16 players that were rewarded for outstanding performances. The Chess Federation also honoured past President, Errol Tiwari, whose distinguished service to the subject entity has aided in the promotion of the sport.

Mr. Nandalall (1st left sitting) joins senior champion, Taffin Khan (2nd left standing), Anthony Drayton (4th left standing) and other chess players at the prize giving function.

Shiv Nandalall, who succeeded Mr. Tiwari, who had resigned for health reasons, highlighted the valuable contribution of his predecessor towards the effective resuscitation of the sport. He said that Mr. Tiwari had gone the extra mile, publishing a weekly column that informed the uninitiated of the vagaries of the sport. “His input was insightful, stimulating and thought provoking and was well received by the reading public,” Mr. Nandalall noted. The GCF President further said that Mr. Tiwari presided at a time when affiliates were struggling in the revival of the sport.
During the year, the Ocean Spray Hotel, Stanley Place Kitty, had extended hospitality while making their facilities available free of charge to the Federation for its tournaments. Consequently, Mr. Nandalall extended gratitude to the management. “Admittedly, we live in a world where everything carries a price but the management of Ocean Spray Hotel has graciously accommodated us to conduct our tournaments without hindrance and I want to sincerely express my gratitude,” he said. He further said a big ‘thank you’ to Managing Director Shameer Mohamed and his staff.
Sponsorship is a very important ingredient to the sustenance of the sport and Secretary of the GCF, Vishnu Rampersaud expressed gratitude to the many corporations and individuals that have contributed in this area. They include Apex Insurance Brokers, The Trophy Stall, DDL Topco Juices, Malta Supreme, Caribbean Container Inc, Sasha Cells, The Red Cherry Café, Uniparts Auto Spares, Kei-shar’s, Kings Jewelry World, Geddes Grant, Roraima Airways, Lucky Dollar, GT&T and Liat Airlines.