Judith Kiragu has become the first Kenyan woman to receive the Most Outstanding Chess Organiser Award from the International Chess Federation.
The award is offered by Fide in recognising personalities, especially women, who have made a good contribution to chess as a sport.
Kiragu won the award during the Year of the Woman in Chess Award ceremony held in Chennai, India.
“This was a big event for me. As a chess player and organiser, I was only doing my work but someone somewhere was watching. It feels good to get such recognition, not just in Africa but in the world,” said Kiragu.
“This is recognition of the great work I have been doing at the federation. We work passionately and the rewards come later. This is a good example of good deeds in the sport of chess,” she said.
Kiragu was nominated by Chess Kenya for the award and her dream came to pass.
“When I was asked to send my curriculum vitae, I did not know that fruits would be coming later. With the thirteen categories at the award ceremony, I was the only Kenyan to have won, showing how dedicated I am to the growth of the sport in the country, continent and the globe,” she said.
Chess Kenya president Bernard Wanjala congratulated Kiragu for her outstanding performance in promoting the sport.
“This is a great move for Fide to recognise one of us. The sport is growing and such awards will motivate other women to come on board in different ways. It also motivates young players in the country,” said Wanjala.
“Many tasks in sports are left to men and this is an encouragement to women across the board. In Kenya, Kiragu is the most active chess organiser and very consistent too."
In February, Kiragu challenged Wanjala for the Chess Kenya presidency where the latter triumphed.
