Chess outreach aims to train students and promote discipline, focus, and learning across Vanuatu schools.
The Vanuatu Chess Federation has held its first chess walkabout this month at the National University of Vanuatu (NUV).
This is part of the Federation’s bigger plan to grow chess in the country by training students and introducing the game into schools and universities.
The visit to NUV is the first step, and it follows similar outreach activities in primary and secondary schools. The goal is to promote chess as a tool for education, discipline, and mental focus in all levels of society.
Lesley Nompavos, President of the Vanuatu Chess Federation, said many students are interested in the game but never had the chance to learn it.
“We are going to schools to teach chess. At NUV, we found many boys and girls really interested. We stepped in to teach them and saw how quickly they picked it up,” he said.
Mr. Nompavos is now calling on other schools to follow the same example and allow students to try a new sport like chess.
“My message to schools, including Malapoa College, is to make chess part of student training. It’s a good sport to train the mind, and it can help students focus and learn better,” he said.
Chess is known as a concentration-based sport. It trains the brain and helps students develop strong thinking skills, making it not only a game but also a valuable learning tool.
