Mr. Gary Bekker, holding the mic, gracing the Opening Ceremony of 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championships on June 19, with Palau lone rep Roberto Hernandez, in blue jacket, taking photos of him. Graeme Gardiner, the event organizer and Charles Zworestine, at left, are reviewing the list of announcement.
(Photo by Joselito Marcos)
HERNANDEZ - 11 Days in Australia,
6 DAYS IN PHILIPPINES
ROBERTO Hernandez’ trip to Australia to participate in the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship will not be possible if not for the financial support of Oceania Zone President Mr. Gary Bekker, who sponsored the cash prizes of the inaugural 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship. He’s the one who invited the 2 players from New Zealand (Hilton Bennett and Paul Spiller) and a USA and Philippine Master Almario Marlon Bernardino so that Palau’s top 6 players would be able to gain international ranking.
Mr.
Bekker shouldered the airfare of Roberto from Manila to Sydney and Sydney to
Gold Coast roundtrip so that for the first time, Palau will be represented in
off island chess competition. Roberto boarded the Philippine Airlines on June
18 and currently playing in the 9-round Swiss system event to be followed by
the Gold Coast Open in which GM Gawain Jones from England is the top seed.
Roberto
travelled with his wife Flor from Palau to Manila and she stayed with her
daughter Karen and sisters Baby and Vilma, nephews, nieces and in-laws in
Philippines while Roberto is competing in Australia. The round-trip ticket and
paid 17 days vacation of Roberto are free as he has renewed another 2-year
contract at Palau Royal Resort, where they offered this generous amenity for
those who will renew for another 2 years.
Flor
got 15 days vacation with pay for working at Dragon Tei (Japanese Restaurant)
where they offer 5 days vacation with pay for every year of working there.
She’s been working there with Roberto since 2006 until the transfer of Roberto
to PRR on June 01, 2007. But her airfare is only half of the cost.
Roberto
will be back on June 29 to Manila after his participation in the 2009 Gold
Coast Open and will stay for a few days with his 92-year-old father before going
back to Palau with Flor on July 04, 2009.
When
Roberto is working on his Australian visa, he made it sure that the documents
are complete before sending it via DHL to Pohnpei because there is no
Australian Embassy in Palau, only the office of Royal Australian Navy where
Paul ‘Bear’ Kenny helped Roberto on how to proceed.
One
of the most important documents is the letter of invitation from Mr. Bekker
that says:
Dear Roberto, Thank you for your
emails and interest in playing at the Oceania Zonal Chess Championships in
June. I think it is fantastic that you will try to make it!
Unfortunately, there is only one
nominated Palau representative, entitled to free entry and accommodation,
allowed in the Open division of the Oceania Zonal Chess Championships, and my
offer of $500 travel subsidy is for that one person. I hope that Filipino
Ambassador Ramoncito Marino is also able to assist as suggested. I am sorry to
hear that Gene Pastrana won’t be able to make it to the tournament, but I am
very glad that you will try to come in his place.
I have attached a letter of
invitation to assist with your visa application, and I look forward to seeing
you at the Oceania Zonal Championships in June. I wish you the very best of
success at the event.
Warmest regards,
Gary Bekker
FIDE Oceania Zone
President
Tel: (03) 8562-0092
Mob: 0418-142-258
Another
email by Mr. Bekker about the 2009 Oceania Zonal Meeting to be held on the rest
day of OZCC to be attended by key persons in the development of chess in
Oceania region:
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau
Newspaper
Pages 9-10
Issue 26
Volume 18
June
22-28, 2009
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