Legit move

Oh yes!

After reading at least two news articles regarding the February 2 NCFP election of officers, I am now amazingly surprised and of course relieved of worries about the internal dissension within the federation.

As of today, I have read more than three news articles coming from former Congressman and current NCFP President and Basketball Association of the Philippines President Prospero Pichay Jr and Tagaytay Mayor and NCFP Secretary-General Bambol Tolentino's camp regarding the controversy.

It's final, the legit is the January 19, 2007 NCFP elections to be held in Tagaytay City, an hour away drive from my place, Imus Cavite.

One of the NCFP directors, Dr. Jenny Mayor, denied the reports about the February 2, Quezon City venue-to be held elections.

That settles the score at least for the followers of the game in our land.

Question here, who votes? who gets the right to vote? to be heard? Or the same chess people you see in each major tourneys?

If it's by members-only thing, my God, I have not met anyone here in the land who claims to be a legit, registered NCFP member.

Of all the national sports association (NSA) in the Philippines, our Chess Federation has almost always been on top when it comes to controversies. I know other NSA's are also going thru such dilemnas like the Bowling Association and Philippine Horse Racing Association but ours has always been consistent.

Remember last year? also in January when some of our young and GM candidates were suspended by the federation because of allegations of game-fixing?

Let's really hope this does not become a yearly habit.

On to other news.

Ex-Congressman Pichay will be the guest speaker for the 20th Schools, Colleges and Universities Athletic Association on January 21 at the Rizal Coliseum. With him as the President of Basketball Association of the Philippines, I am very sure he'll have his hands full this year... I do pray he won't give up his position as a president of NCFP.

And of course before I forget, the proposed merger between the two major Collegiate Leagues in the land, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was stashed aside by the UAAP board, at least for now.

These two leagues are not just basketball. Of course chess is also there and others. If it was me, I'd approve that proposal right in the opening moves.

Issues like ticket sales and longer season for the athlete-students were made as an excuse but I really believe it has something to do more with money. That ends it all.

Imagine 16 chess teams vying for the top place? Wow! More PGN files to watch! Hahahahahaha! National Age Groupers and National Juniors during the summer season would be a thing of beauty as it would be a primer for the UAAP-NCAA Chess Tourney!!!

We'll see what happens.

And yes, this is the Olympiad year,people, NCFP, be one!