Indigenous Affairs Minister confident of young player’s abilities

In light of the Indigenous Heritage month activities, various persons of Amerindian heritage are being celebrated and recognized for their diligent work. One such person is Chess’ very own Nellisha Johnson who is gearing up to compete at the highest international level.

The 17 year old, who is one of Guyana’s Female chess champions on Wednesday paid a courtesy call to Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe. Accompanied by her parents, Johnson had the opportunity to interact with the Minister about her plans and goals ahead of the staging of the World Chess Olympiad later this month.
Minister Garrido-Lowe had nothing but high praises for Johnson and her achievements stating, “We are proud of you and the Ministry will continue to support you and other indigenous athletes so that everyone can excel at what they do.”
The teenager’s parents, Glen and Carmelita, who are said to have always been a strong pillar of support to their daughter also expressed confidence in her abilities.
“This will be a good learning experience for her and I am happy that she has taken up the game because I never to be honest expected her to meet this far but now I have lots of expectations. I am also very grateful to the Ministry for supporting her and I know she will make Guyana proud,” her father proudly stated.
Meanwhile, Johnson who hails from Orealla Village, Region 6 admitted that she is aware of the high level of competition that lies before her, however, she has her mind set of competing to the best of her abilities.
“I know it’s going to be a challenge because is really good players there but I will have to focus on my game and not really on the player, the focus has to be there. I would also want to come back with my ratings points improved and I will represent Guyana to the best of my ability,” Johnson said.
Nellisha who had a feel of international competition at the 7th Junior CARIFTA Championships in Suriname during March of this year, was the only female Guyanese player to receive World Chess Federation (FIDE) ratings this year, which was an impressive starting score of 1123.
Coupled with her stellar local performances she has been awarded a place on Guyana’s team to the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia. She will be a part of a ten member team (consisting of 5 males and 5 females) who will represent Guyana from September 23 to October 6.
Aside from Chess, the young woman has seen success at the 2018 sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations as a Hinterland Scholarship Student who attended St. Joseph’s High School.