From left: Chess tournament prize winners Leroy Goocharran, Edwin Zeagers and Romario Mills. (Child Focus photo)
SABA--The chess clubs of Child Focus Foundation Saba and St. Dominic High School in St. Maarten met for their third annual chess tournament on Friday, April 21.
This year’s winner is Leroy Goocharran of Team Saba. Second place also went to a Team Saba member, namely Edward Zeagers. Third place went to Romario Mills of Team St. Maarten.
The competition was played according to the double elimination process, which means the winners of each game continue playing against each other. This also is the case for the loser of each game. The end game is played against the winner of the winner’s team and the winner of the losing team.
The idea behind the tournament is to teach children the game of chess, to meet other teenagers that are interested in the sport, to make new acquaintances, and to have an event to look out for. Since the Child Focus members visited St. Maarten last year, this year St. Maarten came to Saba. Most participating teenagers never visited Saba and they were very happy to have the chance to visit the island they can see daily on their horizon.
The teens spent two nights in Saba and did several other activities together, such as a beach barbecue and hiking up Mount Scenery.
Child Focus believes events like these are extremely important for the development of our youth, since this will give them the chance to travel and visit countries within the Dutch Kingdom they would otherwise never visit.
“Also, it is a great way for teens to experience a positive experience after the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” Child Focus said.
