Mobile Home | Desktop Version




BAYAN MUNA CONGRATULATES HISTORIC FEAT OF PHILIPPINE CHESS TEAM IN OLYMPIAD: Urges government to provide more funds for sports in 2013 budget

By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 06 Sep 2012

Bayan Muna Representative and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Vice-President Neri Colmenares expressed elation over the victories of the Philippine Chess team currently playing in the World Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey and calls for more government support for chess.

?We congratulate our chess team for its outstanding performance. Being thrust into the main attraction in the Olympiad by playing on the top three main tables for the first time since we joined the Olympiad, specifically the Third Main Board in an Olympiad where 158 countries play on 79 Boards, is a historic feat indeed?the highest board ranking we have ever achieved,? said Colmenares.

?Defeating world chess powers like Bulgaria with their super GMs is another historic milestone for our men?s chess team, never before achieved. The team of Grandmasters So, Paragua, Barbosa, Torre and even International Master Dimakiling headed by NCFP President Butch Pichay have been to a place where no Filipino chess teams had ever been. Their victories are exhilaratingly ecstatic for the Filipino people,? said Colmenares who, as the Chess Champion of Western Visayas, placed second in the 1976 Palarong Pambansa.

?Our women?s chess team should also be commended. Although they lost four matches so far, they have won all their other games and also achieved the highest board ranking ever by a Philippine women?s team. Many countries find it difficult to barge into the top twenty of the Olympiad after the USSR broke up into many chess playing countries in the 80?s. Now, our men?s team is ranked 2nd to 6th place in the current standings,? said Colmenares who was recently elected to the NCFP National Board.

?Whatever happens after these matches, both our teams have done exceedingly well and we should be proud of them. We do however wish they will continue to win their next matches and maintain their top ten standings until the finals.?

Colmenares, who started playing chess at the age of six and as Palarong Pambansa player strongly advocates for grassroots sports development, asked for more support from government for chess. ?Bayan Muna has been supportive of age group tournaments for players below 14 years old. But government has to step in. The dismal funding not just for the national chess federation but also the local federation is not encouraging. Pres. Noynoy Aquino, through the Philippine Sports Commission, should also budget much needed funds for chess and sports in general,? he concluded.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “Thrilla” card takes shape
    By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Wishing Best to Jayson Vayson in his World Title Challenge!
    By Carlos Costa, Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Vayson aims to make history
    By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Day Two of 2025 USA Boxing National Open Delivers 108 Action-Packed Bouts in Tulsa
    Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Bryce Mills Boxes James Bernadin At del Lago Resort & Casino On Thursday, Oct. 30, in Waterloo, NY
    Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Caribbean Clash Returns Friday, November 7th at Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale, Florida
    Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • VM Sotto, City Council Recognize GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Larida is Southern Coach of the Year
    By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • D.C. Knockout Artist Scooter Davis Signs Promotional Contract with Top Rank
    Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 15 SEPTEMBER 2025: Crawford Snatches Canelo's Undisputed Crown at 168 Lbs; Inoue Defeats Akhmadliev to Retain 4 Superbantam Belts; Crocker Outpoints Donovan
    By Eric Armit, Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
    Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • “Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
    Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
    By Dong Secuya, Wed, 17 Sep 2025