Accra: Karpowership has unveiled the Future Grandmasters initiative, a new social impact program executed by its corporate social responsibility branch, One World Karadeniz Foundation. The program, with Turkish Grandmaster Ediz Grel serving as its international brand ambassador, aims to identify and support promising chess players under the age of 16 across the countries where Karpowership operates.
According to Ghana Web, the initiative was initially piloted in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, with a chess tournament held on April 11, 2026. The top three finishers of this tournament became the first young players selected for the program, earning the opportunity for one year of training and mentorship from Grandmaster Nebojša Nikcevic.
Karpowership plans to extend Future Grandmasters to its other countries of operation, collaborating with local partners to discover young chess talents and foster their long-term development. Zeynep Harezi Yilmaz, Chief Commercial Officer of Karpowership, emphasized the broader impact of chess in teaching patience, resilience, and decision-making under pressure, stating the company's ambition to discover more passionate young chess players and provide them with guidance and opportunities.
Ghana is among the countries being considered for the future expansion of Future Grandmasters. Karpowership's previous efforts in Ghana include supporting education and youth development through initiatives like scholarships for engineering students, school renovations, and mentorship programs. The company also engages young people in environmental sustainability efforts, having planted 15,000 trees across Ghana with community involvement.
Looking forward, the Future Grandmasters program in Ghana would aim to identify young chess talents under 16 and provide structured training and mentorship, reinforcing Karpowership's commitment to creating lasting social value and opportunities for youth in the communities it serves.