MR. CASTO Abundo, the Deputy President of Asian Chess Federation, had emailed 46 Asian countries affiliated with World Chess Federation (FIDE) about the question of: "Who can play for your country in official FIDE team events? Only citizens of foreign residents?"
Mr. Abundo, who is also a member of FIDE Constitutional Committee, had referred the topic during the meeting of the Technical Commission about the proposal of President Prospero Pichay of National Chess Federation of the Philippines that only citizens can represent a nation in a FIDE team event.
The Commission decided to transfer the problem to the FIDE Constitutional Committee with the suggestion to take into consideration the IOC rules.
It is quite serious problem and should also be discussed by the Presidential Board and then be given to lawyers to study FIDE Regulations and IOC Regulations, according to Mr. Andrzej Filipowicz.
Mr. Jan Berglund, Palau official Delegate, emailed:
"The wish of Palau Chess Federation is that foreigners are allowed to play." While the United Arab Emirates President Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim answered and confirm again: UAE supports keeping the current regulations which allow foreigners or foreign residents to play in official FIDE team events.
We do understand that some countries not using or don't like to use this rule, but many others are using and many others like to use as this will help promoting chess in many countries.
For myself as a CEO of FIDE Commercial and from a commercial and marketing point of view, I recommend and urge FIDE to keep the current regulations that allow foreigners to play in FIDE team events as it is already allowed since many years ago.
This rule helps to promote chess game in many countries and to attract more sponsors in for major FIDE events, like the first World Club Cup to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2009.
In his long conversation with Roberto Hernandez on Friday, December 05, 2008, Mr. Berglund will consult the Asian Chess Federation President Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al-Nehyan about the major problem for Palau- the isolated location.
Extraordinary travel costs are needed for expertise or for rated players to come to Palau to compete or for Palau players to get out and take part internationally.
More than 80% of his proposed budget is travel expenses. His suggestion to the Sheikh is to have FIDE get its own chartered plane in which he can fly as he is a licenced pilot.
The Sheikh has the resources to make this possible and it will make a lot of countries like Palau to participate internationally without problems about airfare and travel costs.
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 13 & 15
Volume 17
December 15-21, 2008
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