Participation of professionals ‘can lift standards’
By K.R.Nayar, Senior Reporter
Published: January 03, 2009, 23:20
Dubai: Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the president of the Asian Chess Federation feels that the impact of staging the first Asian Chess Champions League successfully in Al Ain has been tremendous.
“It has given a big boost to the sport in the country. The impact will be tremendous not only on our players but also on our organisers,” Shaikh Sultan told Gulf News.
“We organised this tournament in Asia to develop the game in the region and we have been successful in our planning and organisation. We had created history in Al Ain by staging such a big tournament for the first time,” he added.
“We would like this event to create a huge influence on the local players. We’ve shown that we are capable as organising international events. Some of our players showed to the world that we are talented too,” he remarked proudly.
“Through our organising ability we also showed our hospitality. Some of them who were involved in the organising of the event have gained good experience and they will be able to perform even better in the coming tournaments,” he said.
Shaikh Sultan had taken the lead to open the door for foreign professionals to play for clubs in the UAE.
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Nice job.