Kirsan Ilyumzhinov in Kyrgyzstan
On December 8th, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived on a working visit in Bishkek where he met with the President of Kyrgyz Republic, Mr Almazbek Atambayev. FIDE President congratulated Mr Atambayev on his recent inauguration and expressed the confidence that Kyrgyzstan, passing through many economic and political reforms, will achieve prosperity and stability in all spheres of life.
Ilyumzhinov spoke about the FIDE’s activities and its main directions. He highlighted the “Chess in schools” programme and added that chess traditions are highly appreciated in Kyrgyzstan. Mr Atanbaev plays chess since his childhood and nourishes a great love for this noble game. The Kyrgyz President expressed his willingness to support chess movement. It was agreed to hold the 2nd Central Asia Cup for the FIDE President’s prizes in June next year at the famous Issyk Kul lake. Also the President of Kyrgyzstan is ready to allocate land in the center of Bishkek for Chess Palace construction.
In Bishkek Ilyumzhinov also had a working meeting with the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Omurbek Babanov. Mr Babanov supported the “Chess in Schools” programme and added that the government is ready to sign the document in this respect.
Among other meetings there was one with the Minister of Education who said that next year it is planned to increase the budget for the support of chess, including sending Kyrgyz players to participate in the official FIDE tournaments. Also Ilyumzhinov met with General Secretary of Kyrgyzstan NOC, Mr Kanset Amankulov. The Olympic committee of Kyrgyzstan supports the inclusion of chess in the winter Olympic Games programme. At the Kyrgyzstan National University the FIDE President had a brief meeting with the rector Mr Iskander Isamidinov.
At the meeting with the representatives of Kyrgyz CF there were discussed the issues on the planned 2nd Central Asia Cup and the main problems of the federation. The Director of State Agency for Physical Culture and Sports of Kyrgyzstan, Mr Umbetaly Kydyraliev, supports chess and is ready to work over the plan in collaboration with the Kyrgyz CF and the Ministry of Education to study the issue of chess education.
The productive visit to Bishkek concluded by the meeting with the heads of the parliamentary majority Jogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyz Republic. Mr Isaev Kanatbek, Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights, has prepared a bill on the development of chess and it will be considered by the Parliament in the nearest future. At the meeting was also present the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr Almazbek Baatyrbekov.
www.fide.com
That’s fantastic.