Refugee Chess Team from Kakuma Camp Awaits Visas for Chess Olympiad in Budapest

Refugee Chess Team from Kakuma Camp in Kenya Awaits Visas to Compete in Olympiad

Bengaluru: Ngong Atem Tak, an 18-year-old chess prodigy born in the Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya, is eagerly awaiting his chance to compete in the chess Olympiad in Budapest. Ngong is a member of the Refugee team, which was named for the first time to participate in the prestigious event that began on September 11.

However, Ngong and his teammates from Kakuma have hit a roadblock in their journey to Budapest – they are currently in Nairobi, waiting for visas to travel to the tournament. The Kakuma camp, established in 1992 to serve Sudanese refugees, houses asylum seekers and refugees from various African countries, who require movement passes to even travel within Kenya.

Despite the challenges they face, Ngong found solace in chess, a game he started playing four years ago. He became the U-18 champion at this year’s National Youth and Cadet Championships in Kenya and dreams of becoming a Grandmaster one day. “I survive… chess is life,” Ngong tells HT, highlighting the importance of the game in his difficult circumstances.

The ‘Chess for Protection’ project, run by Fide in collaboration with partners like UNHCR and the Kenyan chess federation, has been operating in Kakuma since 2021. The 10-member Olympiad Refugee team was selected from community chess clubs, schools, and girls’ clubs within the camp.

Latvian trainer Sergejs Klimakovs, who serves as the team captain, traveled from Riga to Nairobi to work with the players in Kakuma. Despite initial doubts about their skills, Klimakovs was impressed by the players’ strategic thinking and dedication to the game. He believes that the team can surprise many if they make it to Budapest.

However, obtaining passports and visas has been a major hurdle for the players, who have never left the refugee camp before. Six members were also diagnosed with malaria upon arriving in Nairobi, adding to their challenges. Despite the setbacks, Klimakovs remains hopeful that the team will be able to compete in the Olympiad.

The Deputy chair of the Fide management board, Dana Riezniece-Ozala, expressed optimism about the team’s chances of obtaining visas and participating in the tournament. Klimakovs describes his experience working with the Kakuma players as “life-altering,” emphasizing their talent and determination to succeed despite their difficult circumstances.

As the players await their fate, the chess world watches with bated breath, hoping that Ngong and his teammates will get the opportunity to showcase their skills on the international stage. The story of the Refugee team from Kakuma is a testament to the power of chess to transcend borders and provide hope in the face of adversity.