#UNTU CHAMPION MELIKAYA DOES IT AGAIN

#UNTU CHAMPION MELIKAYA DOES IT AGAIN

#UNTU ship to shore crane operator Melikaya Nonyukela successfully defended his title as the Draughts Champion of the Eastern Cape.
This means he has once again qualified to represent South Africa in the World Draughts Championship in the United States next year. He finished in third place at the tournament this year.

“I will go to the World Championships to win the trophy and bring it back to our country next year. When I competed this year, I was struggling with the technical requirements the referees of the championships required. Sometimes I forgot to press my clock to indicate that I am done with my move and I also had to record each move I made. Now I will be more prepared for the challenge,” he says.

Melikaya, who works at Transnet’s Port of Nqgura, 20 km north-east of Port Elizabeth, was also honoured by the Amathole District Municipality in his hometown of Peddie in the Eastern Cape, situated 55 km south-west of King William’s Town. He was awarded the Sportsman of the Year Trophy.

He now needs to find sponsors for his trip next year. Melikaya’s participation in the World Championships cost him more than R40 000 last year.
Draughts or Checkers is a strategy board game for two players, which involve diagonal moves of uniform game pieces and mandatory captures by jumping over opponent pieces.

Melikaya’s uncle and grandfather taught him how to play Draughts when he was a little boy. After Melikaya moved to Port Elizabeth in 1995, he began playing Draughts on a professional level.

Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Statements contact 082 463 6806 or e-mail sonja@untu.co.za

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