There are high expectations that Malawi’s veteran chess players will receive renewed recognition after National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc donated K5 million to the Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) towards the Veterans Chess Tournament.
The tournament will be held on February 20, 2026, at the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre, and will bring together seasoned players whose experience has played a key role in laying the foundation for the growth of chess in Malawi.
Speaking during the cheque presentation on Wednesday, NBM plc Business Development Manager James Ngalande said the bank’s support is aimed at growing chess through well organised platforms, with particular focus on veterans and inter-college competitions.
Ngalande said the initiatives are designed to promote inclusion, intellectual growth and intergenerational engagement, adding that the bank views investment in sport as part of a broader national development strategy.
“At NBM plc, we believe that true national development goes beyond banking. It includes investing in people, ideas and platforms that nurture discipline, strategic thinking and lifelong learning,” said Ngalande.
He said chess occupies a special place in the bank’s corporate social investment portfolio because of its emphasis on intellect, patience and strategy, values that align with the bank’s brand as a leading financial institution.
The donation, he added, builds on the bank’s previous support for the sport, including the sponsorship of Malawi’s youth chess team to an international championship in Zimbabwe last year.
Ngalande said by supporting veterans and inter-college competitions, the bank is contributing to lifelong mental wellness among veteran players, youth development and intellectual excellence among students, mentorship across generations, and the overall growth of chess as an organised sport in Malawi.
SRCL Chairperson Martin Nyamilandu thanked NBM plc for the continued support, saying the donation will help recognise the role veteran players have played in laying a strong foundation for the development of chess in the country.
“This donation will go a long way in appreciating the veterans. NBM plc has been our greatest partner,” said Nyamilandu.
Veteran chess player Tutule Msukwa also welcomed the gesture, saying it was encouraging to see corporate Malawi recognising the importance of supporting veteran players and their contribution to the growth of the game.
“Chess helps with planning and discipline. To win a game, you need these qualities, and the same applies to everything we do, whether at school, at work or in business,” said Msukwa.
The SRCL Veterans Chess Tournament is expected to attract players from across the Southern Region, celebrating experience, mentorship and the enduring value of chess in shaping disciplined and strategic minds across generations.
