Uganda’s hopes of making a strong showing at the 45th World Chess Olympiad, set to begin on September 10 in Budapest, Hungary, are currently hanging by a thread.
The Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) has revealed that logistical and diplomatic hurdles have prevented the timely acquisition of travel documents for the Chess Cranes (men’s team) and Chess She Cranes (women’s team), jeopardizing their participation in the prestigious event.
The Chess Olympiad, a crucial qualifier for both the men’s and women’s Chess World Cup, is expected to attract over 360 teams from 200 countries and a global audience of more than 1 billion chess enthusiasts.
Despite Uganda’s early preparations, which included team selection and the purchase of air tickets well in advance, visa delays have emerged as a significant obstacle.
The UCF cited difficulties in confirming accommodations with the event organizers in Hungary as a major contributing factor to the delays. This setback affected the visa application process, which had started in advance.
Additionally, the federation is facing financial challenges, needing over UGX 60 million to cover player allowances, team jerseys, transit accommodations, and visa-related expenses for those traveling through Dubai.
The original departure date for the Ugandan teams was September 8, 2024. However, due to the visa delays, only eight individuals with approved visas will be able to travel on that date.
The Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has intervened to expedite the visa process, issuing a diplomatic note to the relevant authorities.
The World Chess Federation has also been assisting countries facing similar challenges, but as of September 7, 2024, fewer than 12 African nations, including Uganda, have received full visa approvals for their teams.
The visa application process through VFS Global requires securing an appointment, which can take up to four weeks. The subsequent visa submission process may last between 15 to 60 working days, adding to the delays.
With just eight visas issued by September 6, there are concerns about the teams missing the first two rounds of the competition.
Despite the Ugandan government’s support through non-cash assistance, such as letters to the consulate, the desired progress has yet to materialize.
UCF is still awaiting government funding for the first quarter, and the federation urgently requires additional funds to cover the costs of changing flights, player allowances, and training.
