https://chessdailynews.com/wesley-so-loses-monthly-allowance/
http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-ncfp-registered-wesley-so-for-rp.html
https://chessdailynews.com/wesley-so-will-switch-federation-to-the-us/
https://chessdailynews.com/wesley-so-this-situation-is-taking-a-big-toll-on-me/
By Mike T. Limpag
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
THERE’S a gripping drama in Philippine sports and no it doesn’t involve the hardwood or the field. It involves Grandmaster Wesley So and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
So, ranked No. 15 in the world, and the country’s best hope for a world title in the cerebral game, wants to be released by the NCFP so he can play for the US chess Federation. The former child prodigy also said that the move is his best chance at gaining a shot at a world title.
It seems everybody plus the neighborhood con artist who preys on people with a chess board are behind So in this move, while Pichay has the backing of the Philippine Sports Commission, which has since suspended the GM’s P40,000 monthly allowance as an elite athlete.
So’s request to switch federation may seem odd, but the NCFP’s counter-move takes the cake.
After So requested that he be released so he could play for the US, the NCFP has named him to the Philippine team that will see action in the Olympiad (I thought we had trials for that), and said it can’t act unless So files in a formal request for transfer.
It’s curious how most–if not all–players side with So on this matter and that, perhaps, shows there are cracks in the NCFP heirarchy. Or have the ranks lost faith in their leadership?
By the way, is So right when he said he’s not getting enough support to chase his dream of becoming a world champion? Well, this is chess, not boxing where an aggressive promoter –will get you a title shot tomorrow. The world championship cycle in chess is a complex one and you’d need more than P40,000 a month to get there.
I don’t know where this latest drama will end–or how long will it be played–but I hope it ends in a win-win situation. This certainly won’t end without the two sides sitting down to iron out their differences.
Chess is one sport where we can and we had excelled internationally. It certainly is a sport that millions of Filipinos can get into, and from that millions, perhaps we can find our next Wesley So.
I hope, when that time comes, the next chess prodigy in chess would have something positive to look up to in this sorry episode and not think, “If that happened to him…”
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph
Good article Mr. Mike Limpag of sunstar, you did your homework and researched very well perhaps you read most of the comments in Susan Polgar’s blog. I commend you for finally giving justice to the Wesley So saga and avoided using the tag “Wesley So seeking US citizenship”. Your the first sports writer in the Philippines that reported the So drama PERFECTLY without a single hitch 🙂 Medyo bitin lang nga but its the best writeup so far on GM Wesley So. Your an EDUCATED, WELL-RESEARCHED and GREAT Sports news writer. THANK YOU – JayZ
FINALLY, an article from Philippine media without the writer insisting on their argument “Wesley So seeking US citizenship or changing allegiance etc” akin to MENTAL PROSTITUTION on the US citizenship argument. I hope all sports writers in the Philippines will write like Mr Limpag. GM Wesley So will be proud on how you present your report. One word to describe “EXCELLENT”
Wesley So should transfer to US Chess Fedetation ASAP. US chess fans & supportes needs you. GM Kamsky will soon retire, GM Nakamura is washed-up and mentally and psychologically messed up nowadays to the point he no longer plays like he used to be. GM Wesley So will be the savior of US Chess who is in need of a new superstar. I’m looking forward to see you play under our US Flag. Grandmaster Wesley So (U.S.A.) love it :d
Heard this guy, Pichay, the politico from Surigao Prov. over the radio broadcast, the hardheaded head of ncfp brags he has produced more grandmasters than his predessors. Moreover, He has been instrumental for gm wes success and in going to the US. Is that true? Well, gm wes’ success was seen even before pichay entered ncfp. Producing more grandmaster titles doesnt make sense. Whats important is QUALITY not QUANTITY.
These politicos are liars.They trumpet accomplishments so they can further drain dry the country by corruption. On the contrary, the philippines drifted further and further in rank in the olympiads.50th at the latest while prior to their watch of ncfp even reached 7th rank. thanks to these ncfp politicos and low quality GMs! Yet, they even accuse that they are more patriotic than the chess players themselves!!! Hahaha. LOL