Zambia's chess federation, under the leadership of President Leslie Chikuse, has selected Bupe Lwenyeka, Tumelo Lwenyeka, Victoria Mweetwa, and Joshua Sauti to represent the country as flag bearers in the first-ever World Schools Chess Team Competition, set to begin tomorrow at 12 hours Zambian time. Unfortunately, a considerable number of junior chess players from the Copperbelt Province have missed out on the opportunity to participate in the upcoming Mdina Chess Championship in Lusaka at NIPA due to financial constraints. In an interview with Mr. Aggrey Kabaso Mwila, the father of Junior Chess Players in Zambia, he highlighted the main reason behind their absence - a lack of financial preparation. The absence of sponsorship meant they couldn't cover participation fees, transportation, and lodging expenses. As a result, promising players like Consolatrice Kabaso Mwila, who is recovering from malaria, had to stay behind, while Ziporah Serah Ng'uni managed to secure travel arrangements. Mr. Aggrey Kabaso Mwila urges the junior chess players in the Copperbelt Province to prioritize planning and saving before any tournament is announced to avoid missing out on future opportunities. He encourages them to actively support local tournaments, as increased participation can attract more sponsors and bolster the chess community. Lastly, the Zambia Chess Federation has extended its wishes to Zipporah Ng'uni and all representatives from the Copperbelt Province and Zambia in the Mdina Open Chess Tournament in Lusaka. Stay tuned for further updates on the developmental section covering both the Mdina and World Schools Chess Team Championships.