Al Fahim lays down plans to promote UAE chess

Abu Dhabi: At a forum attended by officials of various chess clubs, players and members of the media, the need for more support to chess players and the governing body was highlighted.

Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, Vice President of the Abu Dhabi along with Othman Rabee, board member of Ajman Chess Club, Mohammad Aamer, the coach of Ajman Chess Club, UAE national team players, Esmail Khoury of Abu Dhabi Chess Club, Kholood Mohammad Essa Al Khoury and Shaymaa Timor, Shaikh Mahmoud and Amna Naimi, players of Sharjah Chess Club were among those who attended.

Election

Al Fahim, a former UAE national player at the junior and senior level, laid out his plans for the promotion of the game as he set out to contest the election for Chairman of the UAE Chess Federation. Also in the fray are Shaikh Saud Al Qasimi and Abdullah Bannei, the current chairman.

"The main objective for me as a Chairman would be to craft and construct an environment in which all individuals interested in the game of chess and especially UAE nationals can participate with enthusiasm to display their abilities at a national and international level," he said.

"I intend to achieve this by providing the facilities and environment to those who have potential so that they can excel with achieve their targets," said Al Fahim, who is also the CEO of Hydra Properties.

The Abu Dhabi Chess Club official said his aim was to make UAE the chess capital of the region and also to change the UAE Chess Federation from a non-profit-making organisation to a profit-making body so that the funds could be ploughed back for the development of the sport.

Popularised

"We need to introduce professionalism to the way the sport is being organised and for this there is a huge role for the Federation and the media to ensure the game is popularised and spread at the grass root level.

"Emphasis will be on women and people with special needs while the Federation should make it a point to rope in the services of past champions in helping the sport grow," he said.