Chess gets a cool boost from global football stars
· Citizen
Chess has always taken a back seat to “real sport”, being considered the game that keeps “nerds” occupied. But what if stars from the real world of physical sport, like football, turn out to also be chess addicts?
Then, what you have is a heaven-sent opportunity to make the intellectual pastime “cool”, which is what is poised to happen now it has emerged that English Premier League football stars, such as Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah, are among the EPL’s keenest board players.
Visit michezonews.co.za for more information.
Manchester City striker Haaland is so fascinated by the game that he recently invested in a ground-breaking new chess tour to capitalise on the increased profile bestowed by its celebrity players.
It promises to do for chess what T20 has done for cricket in rejuvenating it and taking it to younger – and larger – audiences.
ALSO READ: Inner-city aftercare programme offers hope to Joburg children
In this country of rough, tough and hard-to-bluff sportsmen and women, chess has a similar nerdy image. But it has been proven that chess helps develops powers and concentration and logic which can help young people in later life.
Chess is about thinking ahead – something we South Africans are not good at, especially those of us in government.
Moral: promote chess as a way to save ourselves.