NCFP, a rudderless sports boat? THE National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), under former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol’ Tolentino, has “achieved a lot in so little time.”
This was stressed by NCFP director Willie Abalos in reaction to published reports that the chess association has come under fire from its own executive director.
“Contrary to claims of disgruntled individuals, the NCFP is not a rudderless sports boat,” said Abalos in a statement to the media.
“In fact, the NCFP is very active in the promotion of chess all over the country as proven by the staging of numerous local and international tournaments with lucrative cash prizes,” added Abalos, who spoke in behalf of Pichay and Tolentino.
Abalos, who was tasked by both Pichay and Mayor Tolentino to handle day-to-day operations of the association, said the NCFP “has already hosted several international tournaments since March 2006 and even sent deserving local players to various international competitions abroad.”
Under Pichay, the NCFP hosted the first-ever Presdient Gloria Macapgal Arroyo Cup International Chess Challenge held at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall in Paranaque City last October and the Subic International Open Chess Championship in Subic last April.
Next month, the NCFP is also set to host the Asian Individual Chess Championship at the Cebu International Convention Center in Cebu City on Sept. 18-30 with more than 60 of the region’s top players seeing action.
The NCFP is also set to host the second GMA Cup in Manila before the year ends.
Abalos clarified that in all these tournaments, the NCFP employed local arbiters contrary to claims that foreign arbiters were hired by the association.
Abalos also said the transfer of the NCFP office from Quezon City to the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila was approved by Pichay and the NCFP board.
“Bukod sa mas malaki at mas accessible sa mas nakararaming players, libre ang opisina ng NCFP sa Rizal Sports Complex sa tulong na din ng Philippine Sports Commisison (PSC),” explained Abalos.
Abalos also supported Mayor Tolentino’s decision to create an executive committee to handle the activities of the league in the absence of a quorum.
“Hindi kasalanan ng NCFP kung hindi uma-attend ang ibang mga directors sa amg mga meetings. Hindi naman dapat laging matigil ang operation ng isang asosasyon dahil kulang ang mga directors. Yung iba maaring talagang busy pero yung iba naman maaring pinipigilan ng iba na umattend gaya nung term ni Mr. Go Teng Kok as NCFP president,” added Abalos.
Abalos also advised disgruntled directors to wait for the elections to be called by Pichay himself.
“Dati umaabot pa nga mahigit dalawang taon bago sila magpatawag ng eleksyon.”
Abalos also defended Russia-based NCFP director Toti Abundo, who was criticized allegedly for manipulating the FIDE ratings of local players depending on his relationship with them.
“Sa totoo lang, malaki talaga ang naitutulong ni Mr, Abundo sa local chess dahil na din sa connection niya sa FIDE at sa Asian Chess Federation. Madalas pa nga we get invitation from international organizers upon the suggestion of Mr. Abundo.”
“Walang hinangad ang pamunuan ni Cong. Pichay, Mayro Tolentino at NCFP kung indi pagandahin ang kapakanan ng mga chess players,” concluded Abalos.
Last Tuesday, NCFP executive director Sammy Estimo wrote several newspapers to express his disenchantment with the current state of Philippine chess, claiming he was left out in the day-to-day operations of the chess body.
Estimo branded the NCFP as “a rudderless sports boat” and lashed out at certain individual who has no mandate from the board and another FIDE director based in Russia.
I really thought NCFP chose to ignore one of their directors letter about teir own organization. There are ways to deal with a colleauge's complains and rantings and "mumming" about it is one. Reasons for this approach is you don't let out issues only the organization know. Somehow, with this reply from NCFP, Abalos in front, I never thought or heard of the issue about Toti Abundo's. Interesting right?
And the NCFP election? what happened? when is it scheduled? or are they planning to have one? People in the chess community's been asking if there ever will be one.
I believe I can nominate people for this right?
I respectfully nominate (geeh, feels like I'm in my grade 3 classroom nominating my classmate) Mr. B_ _ _ _ A _ _ for NCFP Executive Director post and MR. M _ _ _ _ B _ _ _ _ _ _.
With the two at the helm, I guess the in-fighting will be lessened or maybe, just maybe, totally vanish.
Wishful thinking? Then let me be and the rest of Philippine Chess!
There you go. There is always the other side of the argument. Having served on a panel/board myself, professional matters, it isn't uncommon for some members to take the lead while others remain passive and take on an ancillary role. The role or level of activity of a board member isn't as important as what the entire board accomplishes in the end. In any board, jury, or committee, there will always a difference in the level of commitment and initiative by its members. It's not something to bellyache about. As for Mr. Abundo's involvement, it seems to me that he is one of the more experienced Filipino chess professionals around, on an international level at that, and his input should be welcomed and valued. If there is something wrong with Mr. Abundo's ideas or suggestions, then his critic should be specific and a better idea presented for consideration. Otherwise, it's nothing but sniping, griping, and plain old sour grapes.
ReplyDeletechessbuff is right!
ReplyDeleteTito Abundo's reputation as a manipulator of ratings is well known way back during the 1970's.
ReplyDeleteAny player who opposes him or Campo, Abundo's benefactor, gets his ratings 'neglected'. Meaning it goes nowhere, or down.
Where is Abundo or Campo' when Barcenilla was nominated for his GM title? They stood by and did nothing. Of the 3 teams fielded by Campo during the 1992 Chess Olympics in Baguio, where was the other Philippine Grandmaster and Attorney Balinas, Campo' nemesis.
And what about the strong rumor that both Campo and Abundo's, particularly the psychology expert Campo, drove IM Andronico Yap to suicide?? Yap was a strong IM who won the gold medal, 8/9, during the 1983 Asian Chess Team Championship in India.
Can anybody, Bobby, shed light on this Andronico Yap case??
People should know the past history of Philippine chess, to understand that today's Philippine chess ills and problems had bad seeds perpetrated by our so called international chess big shots Campo and Abundo, who continue to enrich themselves first.