Friday, October 17, 2008 Team Cebu City to add chess team By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Staff Reporter
AFTER years of excelling in national competitions by playing for other cities, the Cebuano chess players no longer have to after Councilor Jack Jakosalem decided to put up an official Chess Team Cebu City.
“It was a rather impressive feat because the first time in 20 years. I have also seen how chess have gained popularity in the local scene in just a year that I believe it is time to have a Team Cebu City,” said Jakosalem, who heads the city’s sports commission.
The Cebu chess team, powered by International Master Richard Bitoon, recently won the National Inter-cities and Municipalities chess team championship in Bacolod City.
In many instances before noted players like Richard Natividad, IM Enrico Sevillano and Kim Yap were recruited by other cities and provinces to represent them in various competitions. And since sponsors are scarce, they accept the invitations.
Upon learning of this, Jakosalem said that he was saddened and said he will make sure that these players will now be representing their own city.
“The thing is there are so many sports that need our help. That is why we ask them to inform us, at least two months in advance, so that the city could generate the needed financial backing for their competitions,” Jakosalem added.
Jakosalem also pointed out that some sports, like dancesport and football, have gained the needed help because of their individual backers.
Directors
“They have very active and supportive directors. That is why we have point persons—the sports directors—so that whenever they have needs, they are the ones whom they turn to. These persons will then be the ones to inform me so that I can act on it in the city council,” said Jakosalem.
“There are so many events that we help out in, barangay basketball, volleyball, even if we know that there is very little chance for them to excel internationally, but this sport holds a huge potential,” Jakosalem added.
However, just when Jakosalem got excited in helping out the woodpushers, he was disappointed to learn that there aren’t too many events that they could take part in.
“I asked them for their upcoming tournaments, so that he could start preparing for the budget needed to send them to it, but there aren’t a lot of it,” he said.
As of now, Jakosalem said that he is proposing to the council an incentive plan for the team.
