Date set for burial of fallen national team chess player

The late national team player Hawi Kaloki will be buried on August 21 in Mbooni, the family has announced.Download Our MozzartSport App For More NewsFriends and relatives are meeting daily at PCEA St.Andrew’s church every evening to eulogise the late chess prodigy.On Saturday afternoon a mini Harambee will be held at the same venue to raise funds to support the family during the burial plans.##NAJAVA_MECA_9894249##A special Memorial Blitz match between Allan Chumba and Collins Mburu will also be played at the same venue as part of the activities to remember Kaloki.Kaloki, 19 passed away on Monday morning sending the chess fraternity into deep mourning.“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the untimely passing of our champion, Hawi Kaloki, who passed away this morning, the Chess Kenya federation said in a statement on Monday evening.STARS ABROAD: Kenyan striker opens goal account at new club in TanzaniaHawi was a multiple-time national champion and one of Kenya’s most highly rated chess players. In 2024, he attained the position of Kenya’s No. 1 player, having established himself among the country’s elite players with a rating exceeding 2100.He was due to represent Kenya at the upcoming World Chess Olympiad, scheduled to take place from 15 September 2026. His most recent international appearance was as a member of the Kenyan National Team at the Africa Individual Chess Championship in Botswana.Throughout his career, Hawi represented Kenya with distinction on numerous international stages.FEASSSA 2026: Kamusinga carry history and heartbreak into FEASSSA title hunt in MorogoroHis accomplishments included participation in the World Junior Chess Championship in Brazil, the World Youth Chess Championships in Albania in 2025 and Brazil in 2024, as well as several editions of the Africa Youth Chess Championships, where he competed as a reigning National Champion.At club level, Hawi was a valued member of the KCB Chess Team in the Kenya National Chess Premier League and a cherished member of Mavens Chess Club. His contribution to the teams he represented, and to Kenyan chess as a whole, will be remembered with great appreciation.