Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan, President of the Asian Chess Federation, has successfully concluded a diplomatic and developmental tour of East Asia. The visit, which encompassed stops in China and Hong Kong, was designed to fortify ties with regional sports institutions and national chess federations. By expanding cooperation, the federation aims to elevate the quality of Asian championships and enhance the overall development of the sport across the continent.
The final leg of the tour featured a visit to the headquarters of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. Sheikh Sultan met with the committee’s president, Timothy Fok—who also serves as Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia—and his son, Kenneth Fok, the committee’s vice president. The discussion focused on integrating chess more deeply into the broader Asian sporting framework and identifying new avenues for partnership between the Asian Chess Federation and various Olympic bodies.
Emphasizing the necessity of robust collaboration, Sheikh Sultan noted that building strong alliances with National Olympic Committees is vital for increasing participation in chess. He outlined a strategic vision for the upcoming phase, which will prioritize direct engagement with national federations and the introduction of new initiatives tailored for coaches, players, arbiters, and other key members of the chess community. The federation’s leadership believes that East Asia serves as a fundamental pillar for the sport’s growth, citing the region’s vast player base and sophisticated technical expertise.
During his time in Hong Kong, the President also attended the Asian Individual Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships. He observed that the high caliber of play from the international masters and leading competitors present at the event serves as a testament to the rapid advancement of chess standards throughout Asia. The federation remains committed to working alongside its member organizations to solidify the continent’s influence on the global chess stage.
Sheikh Sultan was joined throughout the tour by a delegation of senior federation officials, including Deputy President Bharat Singh Chauhan, Secretary General Hisham Al Taher, and Treasurer Sahapol Nakvanich. This collective effort underscores the federation’s ongoing dedication to fostering a more cohesive and competitive chess environment across all member nations.
