The curtains came down on what is being heralded as a successful hosting of a week-long Draughts 9-Star World Cup in Tobago.
The competition began on September 10th and concluded with the Netherlands winning the competition. All games took place at the Green Palms Boutique Hotel in Bon Accord.
Here is a look at the closing ceremony held on Thursday night.
After a week of an intense mind sport, it was the Netherlands who emerged victorious in the Draughts 9-Star World Cup, held in Tobago. This is the highest level of competition in the sport. The 2026 Grand master, Jan Groenenijk, commented stating the competition was both good and challenging.
Team Netherlands dominated the competition, winning several awards. Groenenijk credited this to them building a strong and dedicated team.
Among other notable winners in the tournament was Victoriya Motrichko from Ukraine, who secured the Women’s Grand Master title for a second year.
layers from over 20 countries and all ages participated in the Draughts 9-Star World Cup. For the President of the Tobago Draughts Association, Raymond Baynes, the tournament provided Tobagonian players with exposure to a higher level of competition.
Baynes wants more Tobagonians to embrace playing draughts, especially young people. Coming out of the competition, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Draughts and Checkers Association, Nicholas Ramsundar announced they are finalizing a youth coaching and development programme, to begin in Tobago’s primary and secondary schools from January 2027.
It is their hope that by the time Tobago is ready to host the next World Cup in 2027, more local draught players would be part of the competition.