Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan, President of the Asian Chess Federation, has completed a high-level tour of East Asia, including stops in China and Hong Kong. The visit was designed to fortify ties with regional sports institutions and national chess federations, with a primary focus on expanding collaborative efforts to advance the game, its training programs, and the quality of Asian championships.
The conclusion of the tour featured a visit to the headquarters of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. During this session, Sheikh Sultan met with Timothy Fok, President of the Committee and Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia, alongside Kenneth Fok, the Committee’s Vice President, and several other prominent sports officials. The dialogue centered on integrating chess more deeply into the broader Asian sporting framework and exploring new partnership avenues between the Asian Chess Federation and various Olympic bodies.
Emphasizing the necessity of robust cooperation, Sheikh Sultan highlighted that the federation’s upcoming strategy involves direct engagement with national sports entities. He outlined plans to launch new initiatives tailored to support players, coaches, arbiters, and the wider chess community. He noted that the Asian Chess Federation views East Asia as a vital pillar for the sport’s growth, citing the region’s significant player base and its sophisticated organizational and technical capabilities.
During his stay, the President also observed the Asian Individual Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships held in Hong Kong. He remarked that the high caliber of play displayed by the international masters in attendance served as a testament to the rapid technical evolution of chess across the continent. He reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to working with all member nations to elevate Asia’s influence on the global chess stage.
Sheikh Sultan was accompanied throughout the mission by a delegation including Bharat Singh Chauhan, Deputy President of the Asian Chess Federation; Hisham Al Taher, Secretary General; and Treasurer Sahapol Nakvanich. The visit marks a significant step in the federation’s ongoing efforts to standardize and promote the sport through strengthened institutional relationships across the region.
