Scotiabank gives support to chess competition

New Providence, The Bahamas – June 2, 2023 -Scotiabank has expressed satisfaction at its sponsorship of the Orjan Lindroth Memorial Chess Tournament which began on May 28 and is organised by The Bahamas Chess Institute in partnership with The Bahamas Chess Federation.

The competition has attracted top local and regional talent in chess and promises an overall prize fund of US$16,500, with the main section winner slated to receive US$5,000 when it concludes on June 3. Approximately 30 entrants from five countries participated in last year's tournament, and registration for 2023 has more than doubled that number, with more than a dozen nations represented.

“Scotiabank has long been committed to youth development in the region, especially in sport. Chess is one such frontier in which interest has surged in The Bahamas and the rest of the region and the bank feels privileged to contribute to its growth across the Caribbean,” shared Na-amah Barker, Director, Retail Banking, Scotiabank Bahamas speaking at the recently held press conference.

Barker also paid tribute to the late Orjan Lindroth, a long-time generous supporter of chess in The Bahamas. “His benevolence opened doors of opportunity to many young Bahamians to learn and excel in a sport considered to be an epic battle of wills and intellect,” Barker said. She further noted that the burgeoning interest of local players is evidence of a sport that is on a trajectory of growth in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean. “An expert at chess is an expert on strategy and this competition could be a landmark moment for the regional chess movement and for this country. Bahamian children can be inspired to see champions of the game who speak like them and look like them, vying against the sport's very best and establishing new benchmarks of achievement,” Barker shared during the conference.

-