An Open Letter Thanking Malaysian Chess Community
On 23 April 2014, Garry Kasparov, 13th World Chess Champion and Candidate for FIDE President, flew into a grand welcome in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Garry in converation with Dato Sri Mustapha Mohamad, Minister for International Trade & Industry
Garry and Datuk Ibrahim Ahmad, Director General MARA with Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib, President of the Malaysian Chess Federation explain the current adoption of chess in Malaysian education
Garry speaking to Young Corporate Leaders)
The next day, 24th April, was the meeting with Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister for Youth and Sports. Brilliant and articulate, the young Minister was quickly able to position chess in Malaysia with the demands of education, explaining that he was in agreement with and would work with his colleagues in the Education Ministry to support Garry’s vision for chess for education.
Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister for Youth and Sport with Garry
Khairy Jamaluddin was the guest of honour at the Gala Dinner, where in his keynote address, after confirming the support of both the Malaysian Chess Federation and the Malaysian chess public for Garry, he endorsed Malaysia’s support for Garry for FIDE President.
Khairy Jamaluddin at dinner with Garry
Khairy Jamaluddin publicly endorsing Garry on behalf of the Malaysian Chess Federation for FIDE President
Garry handing over a cheque to Tan Dri Ramli Ngah Talib to help start Kasparov Chess Foundations Asia-Pacific’s support for Chess in Education Fund.
No evening with chessplayers could end without some chess and Garry obliged with a simultaneous exhibition with the best chessplayers amongst the dignitaries, all who brought along secret (or not so secret) help.
MCF Official help could not save Dato Suhami Shahdan, Ruling Party UMNO Supreme Council Member.
The final day in Malaysian was April 25th and first up was the National Age Group Championships. It had been postponed by a week so that Garry could speak to the 600 young talents that are likely to be Malaysia’s chess future.
Garry opening the National Age Group Championships
Some of the Young Participants at the National Age Group Championships
Parents leading the fight for autographs!
No chess activity is too small for Garry to support and he was only too happy to officiate the launch of the University Tenaga Malaysia (UNITEN) chess club.
A New University Chess Club for UNITEN
Then came a no holds barred session with Malaysia’s best and brightest young at the Strategic Leadership & Entrepreneurship Conference for Malaysian Youth Leaders with Garry was in his element.
Dialogue with Youth Leaders
Young Corporate Leaders enjoying the evening with Garry
Last stop for a truly memorable visit that would certainly not be Garry’s last was the Global Leadership Awards organised by The Leaders International together with American Leadership Development Association (ALDA).
Group Photo of Global Leadership Awards Winners 2014
Garry was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, following no less than another legend in Mohammad Ali as the only other sportsman winner!
