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:
WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL!
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 09 Apr 2026Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title
Thu, 09 Apr 2026IBF lightweight eliminator tops IBA.PRO 17 card in Ufa
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Biasong fights Bustrillo on April 18 in Bukidnon
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Olmillo fights Boquiren on April 18 in RFL
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Overweight Paradero cancels bout
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Biado's World 8-Ball Title Bid Ends
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 08 Apr 2026WBC Champion Lester Martinez will be honored in Guatemala Congress
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Full Card Announced for this Saturday, April 11, Mielnicki Jr. vs. Huerta Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV
Wed, 08 Apr 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 7 APRIL 2026: Santiago Retains WBA/WBO Titles in Tokyo; Taduran KOs Perez in 5; Price Decisions Aquino; Wins by Wilder, Bentley and Tim Tszyu
By Eric Armit, Tue, 07 Apr 2026Carlo Biado is the last Filipino standing in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-Ball World Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 07 Apr 2026Unification next for Taduran?
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 07 Apr 2026