This esteemed tournament, supported by Rosatom, gathered the most promising young chess talents from Egypt and 13 other African countries, showcasing the strategic brilliance and intellectual capabilities of the continent’s youth. 210 players participated in the finals following the qualifying competitions.
The winners of the 2024 African Junior Chess Championship are Hamid Wafa won the gold medal in the open category, while David George secured the silver medal, both representing the Egyptian national team. Santos Luther from Angola claimed third place and the bronze medal. Mohamed Zabib won first place in the mini-chess championship for visually impaired players.
In the girls’ category, Algerian player Shehrazade Djerroud won first place, followed by Egyptian player Joy Romany in a second place and Dima Alaa who won third place.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Shehab Gamal, Head of Youth Affairs at the Ministry Youth and Sports; Murad Aslanov, Director of Rosatom’s Country Office in Egypt; Ahmed Adly, Egypt’s Grandmaster and CEO of the Egyptian Chess Federation, and the African Chess Confederation Executive, Madam Tshepiso Lopang, among many distinguished guests. Together, they celebrated the achievements of the participants and honored the champions in the boys’ and girls’ under-20 categories, as well as juniors aged 8-16 and visually impaired players who took part in special competitions.
“Rosatom is immensely proud to stand alongside the champions of the 2024 African Junior Chess Championship, celebrating their extraordinary achievements and dedication to excellence,” said Murad Aslanov, Director of Rosatom’s Country Office in Egypt. “Chess is a game based on intellectual discipline, strategic thinking, and perseverance—qualities that resonate deeply with Rosatom’s mission of fostering innovation and progress. We believe these champions have the potential to rise as grandmasters on the international stage, bringing the legacy of African chess to new heights. Rosatom remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering young minds, promoting knowledge-sharing, and building bridges of collaboration between countries across the world. These players are not just champions of today but leaders of tomorrow, and we are happy to support their journey.”
“The success of the 2024 African Junior Chess Championship is a testament to the power of partnership and shared vision,” said Ahmed Adly, Egypt’s Grandmaster and CEO of the Egyptian Chess Federation. “Rosatom’s invaluable support has been instrumental in elevating this championship to an unprecedented level, providing our young talents with a platform to shine and excel. This tournament has not only showcased the remarkable skills of our players but also highlighted the role chess plays in building strategic thinking, team spirit, and resilience. We are confident that many of these players will go on to achieve greatness on the global stage. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rosatom for believing in our vision and helping us turn it into reality, inspiring a new generation of champions.”
