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Chess is becoming an important part of life in Kabardino-Balkaria |
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Wednesday, 15 April 2009 |
 After the ceremonial opening of the Fourth FIDE Grand Prix Chess tournament at the Musical theatre in Nalchik, KBR President Arsen Kanokov and FIDE President, Head of the Republic of Kalmykia Kirsan Iljumzhinov answered the journalists’ questions.
In his opening speech Arsen Kanokov pointed out that chess is becoming
an important part of the life of the republic, and tournaments of this
kind serve as a strong impulse for the development of mass sports:
“Kabardino-Balkar Chess Federation headed by KBR Deputy
Prime-Minister Madina Dyshekova is actively working. Recently I have
been to Tersky district where I saw how enthusiastically children from
the chess- club "Ladja " were involved in chess playing. We are
planning to open such clubs throughout the Republic and starting from
September to introduce chess classes into the schools as an optional
subject”.
KBR President also informed that on the agreement with Kirsan
Ilyumzhinov children from Kabardino-Balkaria will be visiting Kalmykia
to gain skills from their peers: « It is very important for the
popularization of this ancient intellectual game; besides, they will
get acquainted and get to know each other in a better way. This will
also contribute to the strengthening of friendship between our
peoples». Answering the question on the importance of sports
competitions of international level for the republic, Arsen Kanokov
underlined that they enhance the image of the Republic. In his turn
FIDE President emphasized that the first significant sport event- the
2008 Women World Chess Championship- held in KBR at “a remarkably
high organizational level, resulted in the emergence of a new small
point under the name of Nalchik on the world chessboard map”
Coming back to the introduction of chess classes into school
curriculum, Ilyumzhinov pointed out that Turkey showed everybody a good
example by introducing chess classes into 64 thousand schools, the
students’ academic level being considerably improved. Explaining why
Nalchik has been chosen for the sport event, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
informed: «With your republic and your President Arsen Kanokov we have
established strong friendly ties long before. Hopefully, the tournament
will be held at the high organization level and in a quiet and
friendly atmosphere».
Journalists wondered how Arsen Kanokov came to convince KBR Government in the necessity of allocating money to this event.
- “There are no budgetary funds here, - KBR President stated. – For a
long time I have been involved in business, and I still have business
ties. Besides, private business and banks of Kabardino-Balkaria have
responded to my call for financial support. Since long we have been
having traditions of sponsorship. To exemplify, when due to this or
that reason we are short of budgetary funds to refurbish a hospital or
a school our businessmen support us. We, in turn, try to support them
at the governmental level. It is due to this approach
Kabardino-Balkaria has lately managed to change its rating from 88-th
to 44-th among Russia regions”. The press conference has come to the
end on a light hearted note:
- When I appear to be near Kalmykia, - I try to visit it without fail.
I have a favourite restaurant where I order Kalmyk pelmeni, - KBR
President shared his gastronomic predilections. Ilyumzhinov noticed
with a smile: «I know, in Kabardino-Balkaria Kalmyk tea is very much
loved ». Arsene Kanokov added: «We take it with our lacooms (local
pastry). Fantastic taste!”
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