MUSCAT: Oman’s chess made a big leap as the International Chess Federation's (Fide) General Assembly members approved the Sultanate of Oman’s bid to host the World Amateur Championship 2023 in Muscat from November 1 to 11, 2023 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
The selection of Muscat city as the hosts for the world class event was during the AGM meeting which was held in Mexico city recently. Oman’s bid got more votes than the Italian bid which was in the fray.
As many as 500 are expected representing different parts of the world to Muscat which will be set for a world chess destination in November to showcase the World Amateur Championship 2023.
Oman’s bid was prepared and presented by the Oman Chess Committee (OCC) in coordination with some top stakeholders including Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Ministry of Tourism and Heritage and Oman Airports. Many officials from Fide visited Oman during the previous period to evaluate the bid and to inspect the logistics, accommodation and other arrangements which are required for the world class events. Oman’s bid met all the technical and logistical requirements and it was accepted during the scrutineering of all the submitted applications by Fide officials.
Oman’s strong infrastructure to host mega sporting events was a positive factor. Besides that, Oman represented by OCC had delivered a successful edition of Asian Amateur Chess Championship which took place in Muscat from September 29 to October 6, 2022 with attendance of 167 players from 21 countries.
'DREAM FULFILLED'
Ahmed Darweesh al Balushi, OCC chairman, affirmed that hosting the World Amateur Championship 2023 in Muscat represented as a great step in Oman’s chess development. “Muscat city will be the first city in the Middle East to host the World Amateur Championship 2023. This mega event is not less than the other world chess championships which are held annually. The OCC had planned to host this event one day and we managed to fulfill the dream,” he said.
The OCC chief explained several advantages of hosting this event in Oman. He said: ”This world-class event will advertise Oman as a hub of hosting mega sporting events. Moreover, this championship will enhance the technical performances of the domestic players, referees and organisers. The huge expected media coverage of this event in channels will promote Oman as Fide have 181 members across the world and this will add a valuable factor for Oman,” he added.
Ahmed al Balushi said that OCC is currently working to execute some other international events during the forthcoming period for the junior players. “We are looking forward to host top events for the junior categories in Oman and also to organise some school chess events. Moreover, our another target is to increase the number of local players with top ranking and enable more masters rankings,” he concluded.
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