The appointment of Filipinos to positions in the international chess federation is a welcome development.
Better late than never, actually.
You see, the Philippines has been in the chess map for many years with Eugene Torre as the first grandmaster (GM) from Asia in 1974. Davao City even produced the first IM, International Master, Marlo Micayabas of Toril, in 1983.
Chess has become a popular sport in Manila because of Torre and in Davao because of Micayabas. We even had a regular chess tournament at the Osmena Park for many, many years and eventually, during the time of Philippine Chess Federation regional director Engr. Alex Sempio Baruis with the help of Councilor Leo “Happy L.A.” Avila, Davao City hosted a nationwide chess championship.
Councilor Avila even boosted chess development with the creation of the Davao City Chess Development Program that backs young chess players and even those from the differently-abled sector. Duna gani di ay chess tournament para sa mga buta.
The election of GM Torre as deputy chairman of the FIDE Athletes Commission, the appointment of James Infiesto as Councilor in the FIDE Commission for the Disabled and the re-appointment of Casto Abundo as member of the FIDE Qualification Commission is a very welcome development to the Filipino chess community.
This is a clear indication that FIDE officials have recognized the talents and what contribution they can make to further the development of the sport.
If you can remember, Florencio Campomanes was elected president of FIDE in 1982, the only non-European to head the international sports organization.
Campo was our national champion in 1956 and 1960 and competed in five Chess Olympiads.
The story I heard from the Davao chess community then that Campo was close to President Ferdinand E. Marcos and that helped him in his rise in the international chess federation. And that during the time of Campo, many countries have joined FIDE.
Back to the Torre, Infiesto and Abundo, their appointments to important positions, I hope would again open opportunities to other Filipinos to occupy posts in the future.
What they will learn in serving in FIDE, should be well noted so that this can be shared to those aspiring to become better chess development officials in the different regions of the country.
If there are hundreds of books about chess as a sport, there should also be a “book” about becoming chess leaders in the international scene.
This “book” can then be shared to the chess community and be learned by those aspiring to become local leaders.
Yes, better late than never, as to the appointments of these three Pinoys.
It is also an opportunity for them to build a team of new young leaders in the sport where Filipinos can excel as a player and as an official.
This is very exciting.
Congratulations to the three of you!
* * *
For comments, send an email to mpb_sports@yahoo.com.
