MALAYSIA CHESS FESTIVAL - Is it on?
By this time last year, Malaysian Chess players and fans would be looking forward towards playing in the KLCA Open but unfortunately for this year, the event either has been postponed to a later date, or worse, may have been canceled. During the same time, the entry forms for Malaysia Chess Open a.k.a Malaysia Chess Festival would now be circulating in the net and on the blogs... Again, this has not happened. So, will we have another Malaysia Open.
Albeit the fact that Dato' Tan has mentioned over and over again that he will not be sponsoring anymore of the Malaysia Chess Festival series, rumor has it that the event will continue. There are efforts being made by some sectors - including a new sponsor, to continue with the annual event. Traditional sponsors such as AmBank and ASTRO, including last year's inaugural Seniors Open Sponsor KLK, can still be approached to make the event happened. In fact, with the continuation of the Perak KLK League, it seems certain that the sponsor (KLK) is more than happy to contribute funds for the development of chess events in the country. If that is secured, then the Seniors Open should continue as planned and once an event is confirmed, its like a falling dominoes.... everything else will fall in place.... But will there be a faulty domino tile somewhere?
It would be great to see another Malaysia Chess Open and this year would be the 8th installment. For most of us in the region especially for the Chinese, the number "8" is usually associated with prosperity and wealth and what better way to continue with the event on a "prosperous" note.
If the event is on, this would be the final month for it to be confirmed - especially commitment from the sponsors - because anything later than April would probably cause tremendous logistic headache for the organizer. The rooms, the venues, the marketing, the advertisement, the communication, etc. needs to be in order, and most importantly, the players who planned to come need to make their traveling arrangement.
All in all, whilst the feeling is good that the show must and will go on, I will only count my chicken, once the "sponsors" are hatching.... Keeping my fingers crossed.
Albeit the fact that Dato' Tan has mentioned over and over again that he will not be sponsoring anymore of the Malaysia Chess Festival series, rumor has it that the event will continue. There are efforts being made by some sectors - including a new sponsor, to continue with the annual event. Traditional sponsors such as AmBank and ASTRO, including last year's inaugural Seniors Open Sponsor KLK, can still be approached to make the event happened. In fact, with the continuation of the Perak KLK League, it seems certain that the sponsor (KLK) is more than happy to contribute funds for the development of chess events in the country. If that is secured, then the Seniors Open should continue as planned and once an event is confirmed, its like a falling dominoes.... everything else will fall in place.... But will there be a faulty domino tile somewhere?
It would be great to see another Malaysia Chess Open and this year would be the 8th installment. For most of us in the region especially for the Chinese, the number "8" is usually associated with prosperity and wealth and what better way to continue with the event on a "prosperous" note.
If the event is on, this would be the final month for it to be confirmed - especially commitment from the sponsors - because anything later than April would probably cause tremendous logistic headache for the organizer. The rooms, the venues, the marketing, the advertisement, the communication, etc. needs to be in order, and most importantly, the players who planned to come need to make their traveling arrangement.
All in all, whilst the feeling is good that the show must and will go on, I will only count my chicken, once the "sponsors" are hatching.... Keeping my fingers crossed.
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