Minister Lauds Bahamas Hosting of International Chess Tournament

Mon, Jun 28th 2010, 12:00 AM

NASSAU, The Bahamas – Acting Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture and Minister of Education the Hon. Desmond Bannister said, on June 25, 2010, the sport of Chess has positively impacted both the reputation of The Bahamas internationally, and the lives of countless individuals, who by virtue of their love and commitment to the advancement of the sport, have evidenced the many testimonies within his Ministry’s archives.

 “These accomplishments are an inspiration and of a significant benefit to up-coming athletes,” Minister Bannister said.

 Minister Bannister was speaking at the official opening of the 2010 Bahamas Caribbean Chess Sub-Zonal Tournament.  This was the first time that an English-speaking country in the region hosted the event, which will run June 25 to July 1.

 The holding of the tournament is also being made possible by the financial contribution of its sponsors the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture; the Ministry of Tourism; the British Colonial Hilton Hotel and GM Dave Norwood, and event partners the Bank of The Bahamas and Bahamas Telecommunication Company.

 Also present among the international delegates was Soviet / Russian Chess Grandmaster and Seven-time World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov.

 Minister Bannister thanked the organisers of the event for inviting his ministry to partner with them in hosting “this most prestigious event”.   He also commended the Confederation of Chess of America for its support of The Bahamas hosting this event and president of the Chess Federation of Cuba Silvino Garcia Martinez for facilitating the visit of Mr. Damilo Buela Valdespino to act as arbiter and provide “invaluable training."

 “I am acquainted with the Directorate of The Bahamas Chess Federation and its status internationally,” Minister Bannister said.  “Its ongoing programmes and astute leadership, encourages sustained involvement of parents, corporate citizens, and retired and matured athletes, such as Warren Seymour, Antoinette Seymour, Byron Small and now chairman, Mr. Kean Smith.

“This strategy ultimately ensures continuity and safeguards the integrity of the sport of chess for the benefit of generations to come.”

 Minister Bannister said chess stakeholders should remain mindful that those types of initiatives reflect both the “unification and cultural harmonisation” of international sports partners and ultimately serves as a template for the fostering of such global efforts.

 “I am impressed with the ambitions of The Bahamas Chess Federation, the relevance of this initiative and its value to the furtherance of our nation’s chess players, and the good reputation of The Bahamas internationally,” Minister Bannister said.  “The Ministry of Youth, Sports Culture will endeavour to continue to support your efforts and ensure that your successes are heralded.

 “On behalf of the Government and people of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, we welcome all of our visiting delegates to The Bahamas.”

 

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