IBSUniversity successfully hosted the Inter-School Chess Competition 2026 on 19th August 2026, bringing together secondary school students from across Port Moresby for a day of strategic thinking, competition and sportsmanship.

The competition was organised by the School of Accounting and Finance (SOAF) through the School of Accounting and Finance Students’ Association (SAFSA), with support from the PNG Chess Federation, UPNG Chess Club and IBSU Chess Club.

A total of 52 students from nine secondary schools participated in the tournament, comprising 42 boys and 10 girls. The participating schools were La Salle Technical Secondary School, St. Joseph International Catholic College, Gordon’s Secondary School, Port Moresby International School, Gerehu Secondary School, Kundu International Academy, Paradise College, Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School and De La Salle Secondary School.

The programme commenced with a welcome address from Dr. Arumugam Mourougane, Head of the School of Accounting and Finance, followed by the keynote address by Dr. Sujitha Antony, Acting Vice Chancellor of IBSUniversity and the distinguished guest Mr. John Varey, Director – Conference, CPD & Branding, CPA PNG, delivered the inaugural address.

The tournament featured 12 rounds of chess matches across the Male’ and Female’ categories.

In the male category, first place and winner goes to Yeshwa Kariminiraj from Paradise College, in the second place is Selam Nawayap from Gordon’s Secondary School and in the third place is Lawrence Ondongo from St Joseph International School.

In the female category, first place goes to Helilah Mai from Gerehu Secondary, second place to Sophia Joke from Paradise College and third place to Kate Agoni of Koiari PARK Adventist Secondary.

The valedictory ceremony featured an address by Mr. Jirey Mileng, President of the UPNG Chess Club, who congratulated the participants and encouraged them to continue developing their chess skills.

The event concluded with the prize distribution ceremony and a vote of thanks by Mr. Manikandan Sathyamoorthy, Senior Lecturer and SAFSA Coordinator, who acknowledged the support of IBSUniversity Management, participating schools, teachers, chess clubs, staff, students and volunteers.

The Inter-School Chess Competition 2026 provided an important platform for young students to develop intellectual and personal skills while strengthening the relationship between IBSUniversity and secondary schools in the National Capital District.