CCSC to tap private schools in attempt for world record, raises target from 10,000 to 40,000 players
By Rommel C. Manlosa
Sunday, November 6, 2011
THERE has been a change of plans and dates in the Cebu City Sports Commission’s bid to break the Guinness World Record for the largest chess tournament.
For one, CCSC chairman Edward Hayco and the commission have now included the private schools in their ambitious attempt.
“We have invited the private schools to join the Guinness World record chess attempt and we’re welcoming them to the meeting we called on Nov. 8,” Hayco told Sun.Star Cebu.
But since the addition of the private school students means more work for CCSC, the group is moving the event to Jan. 21 and 22 next year still at the Cebu City Sports Center.
“The event, which will be called the Cebu Chess Festival-the World’s Largest Chess Tournament, will now be a major highlight during the Sinulog Month,” Hayco said.
Originally, Haycos announced the holding of the Grand Finals on Nov. 24 before moving it to Dec. 10.
With the inclusion of the private schools, the CCSC and the Cebu Chess Federation (CCF) were forced to move the date to accommodate all those who want to join.
CCSC and CCF have gathered nearly 10,000 students playing at the classroom and school level tournaments among public schools. The entry of the private schools is expected to boost that number to between 30,000 and 40,000 participants.
Meanwhile, the chess attempt may be held a month later, but another regular Sinulog event and CCSC project, the Sinulog Cup, will be held a month earlier in December.
Sinulog Cup
The Sinulog Cup will have the men’s softball open, women’s softball open (for high school players and older), little league baseball for Boys 12-under, little league softball for girls 12-Under and Tee-Ball for players five to eight years old.
Tournament organizer Dionisio Bacarisas said he will call a meeting next week with the CCSC to discuss the ruless and guidelines of the event.
Bacarasisas said he expects the event to start after the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet in Bohol.
In the last Sinulog Cup, more than 20 teams joined the four events and Bacarisas is hoping to break that record.
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph
Will they get it?