The 19th ASEAN Age Group Championships which gets going on June 18-28 in Davao City has been assured of the full support of no less than President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio.
In a letter to the tournament organizers, President Duterte said “we in the government root for your success and hope that you will accomplish greater feats in the future. Together, let us harness the strengths of one another and continue our path towards real and lasting change.”
The President has reaffirmed his commitment to help develop sports in the country. Recently, he opened the revived Philippine National Games in Cebu City and backed the hosting of the 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.
On the part of Mayor Duterte-Carpio, she said she believes that chess can be an avenue for participants to be successful not just in the sport but also in life.
“The game of chess has always been considered a metaphor for life, with the skills invaluable in chess also considered invaluable in life like discipline, courage, determination, sacrifice, and the ability to take risks and to make careful, calculated decisions arrived at after various considerations,” the lady local chief executive said.
The host city Mayor is leaving no stone unturned in the lead up to the 11-day tournament, which is organized by Chess Events International (CEI) and sanctioned by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Butch Pichay, a successful one.
Only last week, the Department of Education has also allowed student participants who will miss classes remedial exams or special classes while the Phl Sports Commission has also committed to support the event.
International Arbiter James Infiesto of CEI said they expect more or less 300 wood pushers from Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific countries to join.
“We’re expecting participation from our SEA neighbors including powerhouse Vietnam and some countries from the Asia Pacific like China and India,” said Infiesto.
The country’s campaign will be led by FIDE Master-elect Daniel Quizon, a 14-year-old prodigy who is being groomed as the country’s next Wesley So.
