ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi appealed on Friday to promote chess in the country, particularly at the grassroots level, by collaborating with international chess groups, the commercial sector, and conducting national chess competitions. The president conveyed these views during a meeting with a delegation from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The delegation included President FIDE and former Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Arkady Dvorkovich, President of the Asian Chess Federation and son of the late President of the UAE, Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al-Nehayan, Managing Director FIDE, Dana Reizniece-Ozola, British Chess Grandmaster, Dr Nigel Short, Secretary General of Asian Chess Federation, Hisham Al Taher, Chief Patron of Chess Federation of Pakistan, Jauhar Saleem, and members of FIDE, Asian Ch Speaking to the delegation, the president emphasized the need of promoting healthy activities, such as chess, in the country. He claimed that chess had mental and educational benefits and should be included in the educational system. He went on to say that playing chess could assist relieve tension while also improving intelligence and mental faculties.
The president emphasized the need of promoting chess by holding national competitions and tournaments. He also emphasized the importance of building relationships between the public and commercial sectors to sponsor and promote chess in Pakistan. The team informed the President on the work of the International Chess Federation in promoting chess around the world. The group emphasized that there was significant potential for expanding chess-related activities in Pakistan. It was shown that a big number of people in Pakistan enjoyed the game. The delegation proposed that chess be promoted at the primary school level, and that chess players might compete in World Chess Tournaments online.
