700 to compete in Borneo chess meet
KOTA KINABALU: Organisers are expecting up to 700 participants at the Borneo Chess Festival which is happening here in August.
Sabah Chess Association vice president Abdul Aziz Julkarnain said the five-day event would be held at the Likas Square Ballroom from August 1-5.
“Actually there are two parts to the festival, which is the Borneo Inter-State Chess Championship on August 1-4 and the Borneo International Chess Championship from August 4-5.
“We are expecting 400 participants for the interstate championship, while the international event will see around 300 chess lovers including from China, Spain, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore,” he said.
Abdul Aziz told this to Youth and Sports Minister Frankie Poon when leading a delegation on a courtesy call to the latter’s office in Wisma Muis here, yesterday.
Also present were permanent secretary to the Youth and Sports Ministry Datuk Awang Damit Anak, assistant principal secretary Mat Jaidin Md Yassin and Sabah Sports Council director Terrance Pudin, among others.
Abdul Aziz said the Borneo Chess Festival was the association’s biggest event of the year and that they hoped to capitalise on the expected turnout to further promote the game to the public.
He also invited the minister to officiate at the prize presentation and closing ceremony on August 5.
Meanwhile, Frankie praised SCA for organising the event which he said was an important part of sports tourism.
“I hope Sabah Chess Association would continue to organise the event in future and I also hope it would further develop the chess game in schools as it can help to build character and discipline while stimulating the mind,” he said.