September 19, 2024

UAE chess team heads off to Hungary for Olympiad

DUBAI: A 10-member UAE chess team has departed for Budapest to compete in the 45th Chess Olympiad, which runs from today until 23rd September in the Hungarian capital.

The delegation, led by Taryam Matar Taryam, President of the UAE Chess Federation, includes Abdul Karim Al Marzouqi, Secretary-General of the federation.

The men’s team comprises Grandmaster Salem Abdul Rahman Saleh, Omran Al Hosani, Ammar Sedrani, Ibrahim Sultan, and Ahmed Fareed, accompanied by Armenian coach Vladimir Akopian and Saud Al Marzouqi, head of the UAE Chess Federation’s national team committee.

On the women’s side, Candidate Master Rouda Alserkal will lead the team alongside Wafiya Darwish Al Maamari, Mariam Essa, Zainab Al Maamari, and Anoud Eisa. Coach Walter Arancibia and administrator Aisha Al Hosani will be the support staff.

As the UAE prepares to host the 47th Chess Olympiad in 2028, Taryam will attend the General Assembly meetings of FIDE, the world chess governing body, to discuss future plans.

“The UAE and the Chess
Federation are working on long-term goals, especially preparing for the 2028 Olympiad to be hosted by the country,” Taryam said.

He also expressed gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, for sponsoring the team, emphasising the importance of national companies in supporting the country’s sporting achievements.

Source: Emirates News Agency