Breaking Barriers: Gambia Pushes for Inclusion Through Chess for Persons with Disabilities

GCF and GFD members meet at GOVI © Askanwi

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT

In a quiet room where strategy meets concentration, a new movement is taking shape, positioning chess as a powerful tool for mental development and inclusion. In The Gambia, a joint initiative by the Gambia Chess Federation (GCF) and the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) is opening doors for Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), using the game’s ability to sharpen memory, strengthen problem-solving skills, and build critical thinking.

The initiative, which began with a consultative meeting at the Gambia Organisation for the Visually Impaired (GOVI) yesterday, 5th May 2026, is part of a series of engagements that will lead to the launch of an inclusive chess programme. Organisers say the goal is not only to expand access to the game, but also to equip participants with cognitive skills that can support learning, confidence, and personal development.

The meeting marks the first in a series of five engagements that will culminate in a grand launch aimed at “creating an inclusive and empowering chess community for persons living with disabilities.”

Among those in attendance was His Worship Muhammed Krubally, Principal Magistrate at the Banjul Magistrates’ Courts, who also serves as Chairperson of the GFD and the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities. Magistrate Krubally, the country’s first visually impaired magistrate, used the occasion to call for stronger recognition of the rights of PLWDs and their full inclusion in all aspects of society, including sports.

He raised critical questions about how the initiative would ensure meaningful participation for persons with disabilities. In response, GCF representatives Lamin Jammeh and Kebba Sallah outlined a phased approach, beginning with the establishment of a joint taskforce between the two federations. The taskforce will coordinate subsequent meetings and guide preparations for the official launch, including the development and adoption of disability-friendly chess boards and pieces.

Speaking at the meeting, Lamin Jammeh highlighted his role in coordinating chess initiatives for PLWDs across Africa, in collaboration with a counterpart in Southeast Africa. He noted that the Gambian initiative is a pilot project with ambitions to expand across West Africa.

Jammeh explained that the programme seeks to break down barriers to participation by providing tailored training and appropriate equipment, enabling PLWDs to compete in tournaments while also promoting social integration and cognitive development. As a commissioner for the International Chess Federation (FIDE), he added that the initiative is supported by the global chess body, with the long-term goal of preparing Gambian PLWDs to compete in international competitions by 2027. He observed that while prison inmates already participate in organised chess competitions globally, The Gambia has yet to make its mark in that space.

Magistrate Krubally welcomed the initiative with optimism, emphasising that disability should not be a barrier to achievement. “It’s just a matter of training us. It’s just a matter of collaborating with us. Once we are shown, we can do it—often even better,” he said.

Veteran chess player Habib Mboob, a former captain of The Gambia’s national team, reflected on the country’s participation in five Chess Olympiads. He described chess as “a scientific, disciplined and highly beneficial game” that enhances critical thinking and personal development. He also noted research suggesting that students who play chess tend to perform better in mathematics.

Mboob expressed his appreciation for the collaboration with the GFD, noting that it provides an opportunity to share knowledge and expand access to the game.

Closing the session, GCF Secretary General Modou Loum thanked participants and partners, including FIDE, and reinforced the role of chess as a powerful educational tool. Drawing on his experience as a lecturer, he shared how chess has helped transform students’ academic performance and mindset, particularly among those previously struggling in certain subjects.

GCF Vice President Mass Jeng also welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step toward strengthening inclusion and expanding opportunities for persons living with disabilities in The Gambia’s chess community.