Oman Chess Committee to establish training centres with Zubair Corporation’s support

Muscat: With Zubair Corporation coming forward to support the Oman Chess Committee (OCC), the panel formed to run the 64-square board game has revealed their ambitious plans to establish chess training centers across the Sultanate.
The two organisations, Zubair Corporation and OCC, signed a sponsorship agreement at the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) Headquarters on Tuesday with Zubair Corporation 's Communications Director Mohammed Al Hassani and OCC chairperson Laila bint Ahmed Al Najar inking the deal in the presence of OOC chief Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair.
Speaking on the occasion, OOC board member Sheikh Mahfoudh bin Ali Al Juma said the agreement between Zubair Corporation and OCC is facilitated by the Sultanate’s Olympic body as part of their initiative to help the sports associations and athletes to get the support of the private sector companies.
“It (the agreement) also emanates from Zubair Corporation’s desire to contribute to sport achievements and enhancing the performance of the national teams and athletes at all levels,” he added.
Later, OCC chief Laila bint Ahmed Al Najar revealed the committee’s plans to establish the training centers all over Oman with the primary aim of promoting and popularising chess.
“The idea is to establish junior chess training centres in the governorates. The main objective is to popularise the game and to increase the number of players. Create a strong base and to have a huge pool of talented players,” she said.
“Creation of such pool of players will help us find players for the national teams of different age groups. Such trained players will also be able to compete better at the international level,” she added.
To start with the there will be three centres in the Governorates of Dhofar, North Al Batinah and A’Dhahirah.
“The plan is to train the juniors in the age groups of 8 to 16 years at these centres. The programmes will include comprehensive training for three days a week,” she said.
Laila Al Najar took the opportunity to thank both Zubair Corporation and the Oman Olympic Committee for recognising the work done by the committee and for lending support to their future activities.
The OCC chief also revealed plans to hire the services of Omani players and experts to run the training centres as well as provide training to the players.