Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Shakhboot Al Nahyan, president of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF), arrived in Chennai, India, to take part in the felicitation of Grand Master Viswanathan Anand, the world chess champion.
Shaikh Sultan, who is also the president of Al Ain Chess and Culture Club, is visiting India on an invitation from N. Srinivasan, the president of All India Chess Federation(AICF).
Shaikh Sultan told Gulf News: "Anand's victory is not only a big achievement for India, but for entire Asia and will surely help in spreading and developing the game in the world's most populated continent."
The AICF hosted a big ceremony in honour of Grandmaster Anand in Chennai last night.
Anand defeated the world's top-ranked players to defend his title.
Key support
Shaikh Sultan's keen support for the game in Asia was hailed as one of the reasons behind the success of Asians at the international level.
Both the men's and women's world titles now belong to players from the continent, with Xu Yuhua of China winning the women's crown. "I thank the president and officials of the AICF for their kind invitation and look forward to more progress and development of the game in India and in all other Asian countries," Shaikh Sultan said.
Meanwhile, Jackshon Li, the president of Hong Kong Chess Federation, has also invited Shaikh Sultan to visit the country on his way to Macau to attend the second Asian Indoor Games, from October 25.
Shaikh Sultan's keen support for the game in Asia was hailed as one of the reasons behind the success of Asians at the international level.
