FIDE presidency hopefuls seek support of Arab Chess Federation
SHARJAH: The World Chess Federation (FIDE) presidential candidates lunched their campaign from the UAE.
The elections to select new president will be held in Batumi in Georgia on Oct. 3. The elections, coinciding with the 89th FIDE Congress, will take place on the sidelines of the Chess Olympiad from Sept.26-oct.6.
Three candidates fighting for the FIDE post introduced their future plans.
The battle so far, is a three-horse race between Arkady Dvorkovich, Georgios Makropoulos and Nigel Short.
Earlier, Short took part in the recently held Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival.
The presence of the three candidates, all at the same time in the UAE, confirms beyond doubt the position of the Arabs and the Arab Chess Federation, as also their role in influencing major sporting events, more so with the headquarters and the presidency of the Asian and Arab Chess Federations located in the UAE.
Sheikh Saud Bin Abdul Aziz Al Mualla, Chairman of the Arab Chess Federation and Chairman of the Sharjah Chess Club, met with Greek candidate Makropoulos in the presence of Sami Khader Al Safarini, first Vice-president of the Arab Chess Federation, Hussein Al Shamsi, Secretary-general and Talal Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Arab Chess Federation.
During the meeting Macrocopoulos highlighted his plans to develop chess in the world. Also on the agenda was how the Arab players and federations under the umbrella of the Arab Chess Federation would gain in the event the candidate from Greece bagged the presidency.
A similar meeting with Dvorkovich too, Sheikh Saud said, it was very positive meeting.
The Russian candidate Dvorkovich presented his election programme and what he intends to implement during the next four years if he wins the presidency.
He highlighted the role of the Arab Chess Federation in organising FIDE events and championships, which he stressed, would lead to development of both players and chess in the Arab world.
Dvorkovich said he has plans in the next four years to increase the budget of FIDE by attracting sponsors and big international companies to develop and support chess in the world.