Cash and plaques of recognition from Congress are what I think should be ideally rewarded the Ph PWD chess team that won the bronze in the recently-concluded 1st FIDE Olympiad for Persons with Disabilities held in Belgrade, Serbia.
The Philippine Sports Commission, which helped finance the national team’s trip, should appropriately honor the members of the PWD chess team which made surprisingly better than good debut in an event usually dominated by Western and European counterparts.
This is the biggest surprise for 2023 that greeted me, aside from the medal-winning ways of pole vaulter EJ Obiena in the current European indoor meets.
NM Darry Bernardo, 21 and half blind, made the Philippine podium finish more emphatic with a gold medal triumph in board three.
The Philippines edged India and Serbia Team 1 in a dramatic tiebreak after the conclusion of the 6-round Swiss system.
On the way to the bronze medal performance, the Pinoy chessers routed Uzbekistan, 3.5 – 0.5; sneaked past Czech Republic, 2.5-1.5; thrashed Serbia 2, 3.5 – 0.5’ lost to Poland, 1.5 – 2.5 and tied with Israel, 2-2.
Composing the triumphant Ph chess platoon are NMs Sander Severino Board 1), Henry Lopez (board 2), playing captain NM James Infuesto and Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza (board 4).
This victory is not only huge. It is historic and monumental that should spur the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) to relentlessly continue working harder, promptly implement its grassroots program despite the odds, particularly the Palarong Pambansa.
Beating the tough Western and East European bets in their own backyard is not an ordinary grind especially in our case where tournaments for PWDs are quite rare.
Because of this very impressive result, private commercial sponsors may find it auspicious to fund the next PWD national team to wherever they might compete.
If they were able to beat counterparts from nations that have a very strong, solid chess program and infrastructure, I think Pinoy PWDs have a fair chance of getting to the top of the FIDE hierarchy in future events.
Consider India. It has an estimated 1.3 billion population. Even if only 10 percent play chess (130M) and just 1percent is PWD, that’s still 130K.
Indians are inspired and motivated by two-time world champion Viswanathan Anand.
Wow, I am truly euphoric about this. Pinoys are truly world class. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
