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	9th World University Championships

	NIGERIA BREAKS ORGANISATIONAL RECORD It was humanly inconcievable to imagine that about 48 arbiters with an undisclosed number of officials where to organise a achess event featuring eight countries with a total contigence of sixty players and officials. But the nigerian chess federation under the auspices of the Nigerian Universities Games Assiociation has broken this record during the 9th WUCC event holding in Lagos, Nigeria. Nigeria keeps on surprising the world as they perform the 9th wonder of the world during the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship when grasses grew in barren stadiums at the tweak of the fingers to the surprise of visiting FIFA officials. In a discussion with Mr Benebo, one of the officials at the event, our correspondent put him to task. Trying to justify thier action of how an arbiter will be assigned to each board, he claimed that even at international events arbiters are assigned to main tables comprising many boards, sectors, etc. Short of mentioning all manner of jobs being ascribed to the arbiter such as security. Unconfirmed information indicates that the organisers where expecting a N60 million bounty from an undisclosed source. We believe as usual that "that money is for the boys" as the saying goes in Nigeria. We suspect this we why we have this over bloated number of officials. We must ask ourselves when will things change and we will all work for the common good of the sport we love so much. Click here for more information on the WUCC Rounds and Games
	"IT TEACHES YOU HOW TO WIN AND LOSE, GRACEFULLY...." says Paul Allen In the 90’s when you received a letter from the secretariat of the Nigeria chess federation, the phrase; ‘gens una sumus’ always appeared as part of the salutation. I had always wondered what it meant and I later found that it roughly translates to ‘in one family’. And I’m sure share this when you read about my encounter with Mr Paul Allen, CEO, Project Executive Group Houston, Texas. Here are excerpts; Q : Please introduce yourself sir. Mr Allen : My name is Paul Allen, I’ve played chess since I was little, exactly age 6, my corporate logo is the shape of a chess piece (he point’s at the the knight embroider on his T-shirt) and on my corporate website the theme is chess. Q :Why do you have so much interest in the game? Mr Allen :Because chess is universally played. It crosses borders, age and religion. I have been involved in projects all over the world and so I’m an international person and chess is an international game. Q :Somehow lots of people believe chess isn’t popular? Mr Allen :I disagree. It’s played on every continent in the world. Rugby, which I used to play, is not played everywhere not even football……….. Q :You used to play Rugby? Mr Allen :O yeah! Q :What’s the key interest for you in chess? Mr Allen :First of all, it’s one on one. One person against another. Also, it teaches you how to plan and think ahead, and how to win and lose gracefully, which are all part of life. Q :Did you come with any of these team to Nigeria for this event? Mr Allen :No, I’m here on business, and I found out about the event so I came to the hotel to watch the games but unfortunately they have not started. Q :Really….? Mr Allen :Yes.(laughs) I have been training NNPC(i.e. the national oil company of Nigeria) executives in advanced project management Q : Do you have any suggestions as regards introducing chess two young children. Mr Allen : You must teach them how to play very early around 5 and 6 years, and to be accomplished takes time. You can learn how to swimming in 2 hours, but to be an Olympic swimmer take many years of purposeful training. Q : As you observe, the level of corporate involvement in this event is quite low. Do you have similar problems in America? Mr Allen :Chess will always be for those interested in it. I think if people are introduced at an early age, they can grow up loving the game and if need be sponsor it. I've played chess all my life and I have taught my children and when their children are old enough to play, I'll teach them to! Q : Because grand pa plays Chess? Mr Allen : (laughs) Yes.Because grand pa plays chess. When my sons and daughters come around I play with them. It’s a family tradition. Chess has always been a tool of encouraging cohesion, in the family, business and even politically. A game that transcend sex,age, religion, etc. Click here for more information on the WUCC Rounds and Games
	Meet the Bensdorp sisters The Dutch team to the 2006, WUCC had 5 players with the Bensdorp sisters forming the female team. Here are excerpts from their chat with Bunmi Olape, Q: Pls introduce yourselves. L: l am, l’m Laura Bensdorp M: I’m Marlies Bensdrop Q: Where do you school? L: University of Utrecth and I study Law M: I study in Rotterdam, at Erasmus University and I study Business Administraion. Q: What year of Study? L: I just finished my bachelors’ degree and I’ll start my Masters soon. M: I’m in my fourth year, and I have one more year to go. Q: How long have you been involved in chess? L: Since em……..! We were 8 or 9. M: Yes, 8 or 9. Q: And, how many tournaments have you played? L: (laughs) I don’t know, a hundred or more. M: more than a hundred. Q: What are your Elo ratings? L: 2113 M: 2290 Q: Do you both plan to continue with carriers in chess? L: No, no (laughs) I play chess on a high level but I’d like to work after I graduate. M: Yeah! For me it’s the same, it’s just my hobby and there are more important things. Q: How many countries have you been to play tournaments L: I think six M: may be more. L: She’s been in more countries than I have. M: Probably each year we play a tournament in another contry. Q: Is this your first time in Africa? L: Yes it is. Q: Have you enjoyed you stay, so far? M: We like it, the people are very friendly, but we haven’t seen much outside the hotel yet, so we hope on the free day we’ll see more of the country. TomTom Chess Guide An instructional program on chess presented by Mr. Adebayo Adegboyega, Nigerians foremost chessmaster and rated by FIDE. The program transmitted on LWT, Lagos Weekend Television, time: 4:30 to 5:00 pm on saturday, as part of local content in Sports World. Sponsors, 'Tom Tom', a brand product of Cadbury Nigeria Limited.
	Germany 2006
	It brings together the largest number of spectators and viewers world wide. Africa Sports and Entertainment Network brings all the excitement, fun, joy and lots more for you. Including commentry for soccer fans and lovers all around the world via the internet. For more details on players profile, fixtures, results, group standings, locations and venues; visit our special Germany 2006 world cup. Click here to view our special on World cup Germany 2006

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