SK Agama Bintulu pupils represent Sarawak at national chess championship in KL

BINTULU (Oct 25): Eight Primary 5 pupils from SK Agama (MIS) Bintulu are representing Sarawak in the National Level Sekolah Agama Bantuan Kerajaan Primary School Chess Championship 2024.

The team, consisting of four boys and four girls, departed for Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning and will then travel by bus to Melaka.

The competition kicked off yesterday at Sekolah Rendah Arab JAIM Batang Tiga Timur, Melaka and runs till Oct 27.

These talented young minds include Ameer Eskhandar Azrul Azmil, Muhammad Izz Zharfan Shah Muhammad Shamad, Aydan Daniyal Mohd Azlan, Danish Ashraff Irfan, Dygku Zafeera Awgku Fadzillah, Nur Iman Safiyya Abdul Mazli Hafiz, Nur Irdina Izzati Ahmad Shollihin and Irhami Kharimah Helmi.

Accompanying them are teachers Hidayah Hairuddin, Norjanah Bujang and Siti Fatimah Yasin.

According to the team’s spokesperson, this marks the inaugural chess tournament organised between government-aided religious schools across Malaysia.

“The primary goal of this event is to provide pupils with exposure to national-level competitions and foster stronger relationships between different states,” she said.

She said the team aims to be in the top 10 in individual events and secure top three positions in overall competitions.

A total of 167 young chess players from 20 teams representing Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang, Kedah, Perak, Perlis and Kelantan are participating in the competition.

Johor is sending the largest contingent with 74 players, followed by Melaka with 43.