TODAY.AZ / Sports

World Chess Olympiad 2016 mascot presented in Baku

25 May 2016 [13:37] - TODAY.AZ

/By Azernews/

By Amina Nazarli

A mascot for the 42nd World Chess Olympiad 2016 in Baku was presented on May 24, just 100 days before the start of the significant event.

The competition of national creativity, announced by the Operating Committee of the Baku Chess Olympiad this March, received more than 600 different patterns. After consideration, Musa Ganja became the winner of the competition.

The mascot of the World Chess Olympiad was named CHESS MATE.

Azerbaijan's Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov, addressing the presentation ceremony, noted that Olympiad to be held in Baku will create a good opportunity to popularize Azerbaijan in the world.

He noted that representatives of 180 countries will take part in the 42nd World Chess Olympiad.

“Well-known chess players from all around the world will gather in Baku and it will be a great contribution to the development of chess in Azerbaijan,” said Rahimov.

The minister pointed out that the country hosts many prestigious competitions, adding that they are confident that this event will also be held at the highest level.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) stressed that Baku is fully ready to host the World Chess Olympiad.

“Representatives of the FIDE Presidential Board have recently visited Baku and came to a conclusion that Azerbaijan's capital is fully ready to hold the Chess Olympiad,” he said.

Ilyumzhinov further noted that Armenian team will also participate in the Olympiad, adding that this issue was discussed during his recent visit to Yerevan.

Addressing the event, President of Azerbaijan’s Chess Federation Elman Rustamov voiced belief that the Chess Olympiad will make a great contribution to the development of chess in the country.

The government has created a wide chess infrastructure and country’s all regions have chess schools.

Rustamov further said the national team is intensively preparing for the Olympics.

“We very much hope to successfully participate in the Chess Olympiad, and in this regard, we have taken all the necessary measures. We are confident that the event to be held in Baku will be one of the most famous and memorable contests in the world,” he emphasized.

The Olympiad, scheduled for September 1-14 will take place in the Crystal Hall, once hosting Eurovision Song Contest in 2012.

The FIDE event, a biennial chess tournament, gathering teams from all over the world to compete, this year will host about 2,000 chess masters in Baku. The number of guests is expected to reach up to 3,000.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/sports/151065.html

Print version

Views: 2307

Connect with us. Get latest news and updates.

Recommend news to friend

  • Your name:
  • Your e-mail:
  • Friend's name:
  • Friend's e-mail: