On the 9th of July FIDE President, Head of Republic of Kalmykia Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived in La Paz, capital of Bolivia. At the meeting with the President of Bolivian Chess Federation Mr. Alfonso Ferrufino a conversation on chess development in this mountainous country was held. Bolivia is often called Latin Tibet.
Mr. Ferrufino said that in recent months he had to withstand intense pressure in the press from Mr. Richard Kohn, who insisted that Bolivia officially supported Anatoly Karpov (The latter was recently in Peru, pre-election visit).
Mr. Ferrufino spoke about the plans and problems of Bolivian CF. He noted that the state devotes to chess only 15,000 dollars per year. At the same time Chess in Schools programme is ready to be launched and at this moment it is being coordinated in the ministry of Education. To implement this programme with help of FIDE, BCF needs not material, but educational and methodological assistance. Ilyumzhinov, in his turn, shared the ideas of chess development in Latin American continent. He spoke about the positive experience of Chess in Schools programme in Republic of Kalmykia, and expressed willingness to provide BCF with technical and methodological assistance.
Form left to right: Russian Consul Ilya Nesterov, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, President of Bolivian Chess Federation Alfonso Ferrufino Hurtado, Continental President for Americas Jorge Vega
FIDE President and the President of Bolivian CF Alfonso Ferrufino Hurtado
Meeting with Bolivian CFThe ways of specific cooperation between FIDE and Bolivia , as well as the soonest launching of Chess in Scools programme were discussed at the meeting with Adviser to the Minister of Health and Sports, Mr. Rodrigo Solomon. The latter expressed the hope that Bolivian President Mr. Evo Morales will issue a decree on Chess in Schools programme as soon as it will be finally ready and coordinated with the Ministry of Education.
Meeting with the Adviser to Minister of Health and Sports Mr. Rodrigo Solomon
The meeting was attended by the Continental President for Americas Mr. Jorge Vega and Consul of Russian Embassy in Bolivia, Mr. Ilya Nesterov. The meeting was followed by press conference, the participants of which responded to numerous questions. After press conference Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with local chess players, including members of Bolivian national team.
Press conference to Bolivian media
FIDE President and the members of Bolivian National Team
