SVG Chess Federation hopes local prisoners can participate in the “Chess for Freedom” global online championship.
The St Vincent and the Grenadines Chess Federation has unveiled its multi-pronged approach to introducing the game to various sectors of society.
Its Chess In Schools Programme (CISP) has seen several primary and secondary schools receiving donations of chess sets.
On Thursday, the federation donated 20 chess sets to Senior Prison Officer Kevin Alexander to facilitate the development of the Chess In Prisons Programme (CIPP).
Secretary-Treasurer of the federation, F. Kazene Pierre handed over of the chess sets at the Kingstown and Bell Isle facilities.
CIPP is part of the international body’s — FIDE — global programming strategy.
The St. Lucia Chess Federation has embarked on a successful CIPP.
Meanwhile, the SVG federation said it has adopted the position of Jo Adetunji whose research concluded:
“Chess is a cheap and tactical game, and is claimed to develop the part of the brain responsible for planning, judgement and self-control, and even to help prevent dementia. So it’s no wonder that thousands of prisoners in the UK are now part of chess clubs.
“Working with people in prison and tackling reoffending is one of the biggest challenges society faces and I’ve long argued that physical activity, sport and games have a unique and important role to play.”
The SVG Chess Federation says it joins the international community in the CIPP with the aim of tackling the reoffending by Vincentians and reducing crime committed across this country.
“This position adopted by the international body that ‘chess is a game that not only allows the inmates to spend quality time and socialise in a smart and safe way but also can serve for decreasing such common symptoms like depression, stress, and anxiety. Developing memory and logical thinking, improving concentration skills and imagination may foster their reintegration after liberation. Chess inspires self-motivation, develops the capacity to for-see consequences and demonstrates that success is a reward of hard work.”
The federation says it hopes that the current population would begin to play the game, with a view to helping to reduce recidivism.
The federation further says it hopes that prisoners in SVG will be able to take part in the Chess in Prison Championship, which could see local prisoners participate in the “Chess for Freedom” global online championship.
“This would also mean that the Ministries of Legal Affairs, Finance and National Security should consider, as part of their budgetary exercise, for at least 3 computers for the prison facilities at Kingstown and Belle Isle so by 2026 our prisoners will be active participants in this crime reduction initiative,” the federation said.
Does this represent progress?