KIREKA CHESS CLUB WINS THE 2024 /25 PREMIER BET UGANDA CHESS LEAGUE TITLE FOR 7TH CONSECUTIVE TIME.

The Premier Bet Uganda Chess League 2024/25 concluded in spectacular fashion, with Kireka Chess Club securing its seventh consecutive league title edging out fierce competitors Mulago Kings Chess Club and Soroti Chess Club, who finished in second and third place, respectively. The league stands out as the biggest in Africa, featuring teams from Kenya, Somalia, Mogadishu, and South Sudan.

The awarding ceremony, held on February 23, 2025, at Nob View Hotel in Ntinda, marked the end of the 2024/2025 national league.

Premier Bet Uganda, the league’s sponsor, played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the championship. Premier Bet Uganda’s head of marketing, Kenneth Kabale, praised Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) for its organization and pledged continued support for the sport.

Kenneth further acknowledged the partnership with Uganda chess Federation since 2018, and the strive to improve the sponsorship packages.

The overall winners, Kireka A Chess Club, walked away with Land worth UGX 10,000,000, while second and third-place teams, Mulago Kings and Soroti, received UGX 2,000,000 and UGX 1,500,000, respectively. The total cash prize pool stood at UGX 24,000,000, with all participating teams receiving at least UGX 100,000.

Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) President, Emmanuel Mwaka, expressed his joy at the successful conclusion of the league and expressed his gratitude to Premier Bet Uganda LTD, for financing the league and ensuring its success.”

Kireka Chess Club, managed by Patron Were Bob, displayed an exceptional squad led by captains Musasizi Emmanuel, Kafuko Paul, Kaddu Ivan, and Mukose Emmanuel.

• The Rapid Section: Mulago Kings Chess Club won the rapid section, followed by Soroti Chess Club in second place and Kireka Chess Club in third.

• The Blitz Chess section: Soroti Chess Club won the blitz category, followed by Gambit Chess Club, with Mulago Kings Chess Club securing third place.

• MVP Award: The National League MVP was Nyola Mark, who won gold on Board 1 due to his consistency with 9/10 points, no loss and a rating performance of 2113

The ceremony also saw the participation of chess legend Makumbi Godfrey, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time in Uganda. Makumbi won gold at the 1996 Chess Olympiad, an extraordinary achievement that remains unmatched to this day.

National coach: FIDE Master Wanyama Harold also acknowledged the impressive performance of junior players, extending special thanks to Patrick Mukasa for nurturing young talents and strengthening the junior board. in addition to that he as well highlighting Mango tech a junior team that upset top teams.

Uganda Chess Federation president Emmanuel Mwaka expressed his delight at the league’s success. “This season’s league has been the longest, but also the most competitive. The fact that we hosted teams from different countries cements our position as Africa’s biggest league,” he noted.

With the continued support from sponsors and the growing popularity of chess in Uganda, the Premier Bet Uganda Chess League is set for an even brighter future. The increasing competitiveness among clubs and the emergence of young stars indicate that Ugandan chess is on an upward trajectory.

As Kireka A Chess Club celebrates yet another title, the challenge for next season remains: Who will rise to dethrone the reigning champions? Only time will tell.

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Written by Samuel Were

Photo credit Mukuye Ivan