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:
Legane fights on August 2 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Jul 2026"The Greatest" Muhammad Ali biographical mini series to stream on Prime Video starting November 4
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 08 Jul 2026Ramon Cardenas-Leonardo Carrillo, plus two more 10-round fights added to Lester Martinez-Luka Plantic card
Wed, 08 Jul 202656th Annual NABF Convention Concludes with Resounding Success in Savannah, Georgia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 08 Jul 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev: IOC had no choice but to accept lifting the restrictions on Russian athletes
Wed, 08 Jul 2026Martin dares Inoue, Casimero
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 07 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 6 JULY 2026: Abdullah Mason Stops Albert Bell in 12; Carrington Outpoints Palacios; Wins by Mossely, Sadjo, El Hadri.
By Eric Armit, Tue, 07 Jul 2026Quiñonero to fight again on August 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 07 Jul 2026MannyPay Global Launches U.S. Merchant Processing Division to Help Small Businesses Lower Payment Costs and Accelerate Growth
Tue, 07 Jul 2026Murat Gassiev to face Peter Kadiru for the WBA Heavyweight world title
Tue, 07 Jul 2026Bansilan, Tan rule Faith Run
Tue, 07 Jul 2026Teremoana and new Matchroom Boxing signing Zerafa confirmed for big August 12 card in Australia
Mon, 06 Jul 2026Jayson Vayson Returns to World Rankings
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 06 Jul 2026Yor beats Salisad in technical decision, wants rematch
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 06 Jul 2026War, Chess, and Writs: Why Mayweather vs. Pacquiao II is Postponed, Not Scrapped
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 06 Jul 2026