The key moment of the FIDE President’s visit to Dubai has become his press-conference in Dubai Press Club-Media City, with the participation of the Arab Chess Federation President Ibrahim Al Bannai and H.H. Sheikh Butti Bin Suhail Al Maktoum.
During the press-conference Mr. Ilyumzhinov has appreciated the progress in the chess development in the UAE as well as a large number of the official events held in this country lately. He thanked Mr. Al Bannai for his efforts in promoting chess in the Arab countries.
During the meetings preceding the press-conference there have been discussions on the goals and tasks of FIDE in respect of the world chess development.
In this connection the FIDE President has invited Sheikh Butti to join the FIDE family and offered him a position of the FIDE CEO on Commercial Affairs. Sheikh Butti has graciously accepted the proposal for this prestigious position and expressed his gratitude.
Besides, the FIDE President also outlined the three main aspects of the FIDE activities for the next four years – Chess in Schools, preparation of trainers and arbiters and CACDEC. The UAE has hosted quite a few top chess events, among them two meetings of the FIDE Presidential Board (2001, 2006), FIDE Grand Prix (2002), Asian Youth Championships (2007) and Asian Club Cup (2008).
