POC backs Fide Olympic campaign

MANILA—The Philippines became the first country to officially endorse the inclusion of chess in the 2014 Russia Winter Olympics.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco signed the endorsement letter addressed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following a courtesy visit by Fide president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov the other day.

“Chess is a legitimate sport played internationally. Its inclusion (in the Olympics) is long overdue,” said Cojuangco. “It will also give us the opportunity to compete in the Winter Games again.”

The Philippines last sent a delegation to the quadrennial event in 1994.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay accompanied Ilyumzhinov during the courtesy visit and lauded Cojuangco for supporting the initiative.

“We have world-class chess players and they are mostly young,” said Pichay.
Ilyumzhinov is lobbying to include chess in the Olympic calendar.