Ni ANNIE ABAD
UMAASA ang pamunuan ng World Xiangqi (Chinese chess) Federation na mapupukaw ang kamalayan nang mas nakararaming Pinoy sa pagsulong ng 15th World Xiangqi Championship kahapon sa Manila Hotel.
Pinangasiwaan ni WXF president at International Olympic Committee (IOC) board member Timothy Fok at Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez ang opening ceremony sa sports na may malaking posibilidad na magbigay ng karangalan sa bansa sa international competition.
“Xiangqi is not just a game but a part of China’s 2,000 years of culture,” pahayag ni Fok, pangulo rin ng Hong Kong Olympic Committee.
“Filipino-Chinese players are among the best Xiangqi player in the world, so I firmly believe that the sports will bring pride and honor for your country in the future,” sambit ni Fok.
Kabuuang 25 bansa ang sumabak sa torneo na halos katulad ng standard chess game kung saan kailangan mamate ang General (King) para manalo.
Ipinangako naman ni Ramirez na paglalaanan nang sapat na pondo ang sports, sa pamamagitan ng Philippine Xiangqi Federation (PXF) sa pamumuno ni Wilson Tan upang maihanda ang Pinoy sa pagsabak sa international competition kabilang na ang Asian Games.
“The game will be played as demonstration sports in next year’s Asian Games in Jakarta, and we informed that Xiangqi will be a regular sports in Asiand in 2022 in China,” sambit ni Ramirez.
