The Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) launched the 2024 VI Junior Chess National Championship. The routine agenda for the junior level national championship is to look for the best talents who will be sent to tournaments in Southeast Asia.
The National Championship, which took place at the Business and Tourism Center for Vocational Education Quality Assurance Development (BBPPMPV), Depok, West Java, opened on Friday (8/11) evening.
Also present were the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports (Wamenpora) Taufik Hidayat along with the General Chairperson of PB Percasi GM Utut Adianto and DPD member Alfiansyah alias Komeng.
“The winner at the national championship this time, we will send the winner to the ASEAN level (championship) at Percasi’s expense,” said Utut Adianto.
The National Championship will last until November 15. A total of 530 junior chess players from various provinces in the country will compete.
There are three provinces that send the most representatives. West Java fielded the most athletes, namely 82 chess players. Jakarta sent 71 athletes while East Java sent 69 chess players.
The National Championship competes in standard chess. The categories start from age groups KU-7, KU-9, KU-11, KU-13, KU-15, KU-17, to KU-19.
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Taufik Hidayat appreciated Percasi for routinely carrying out tiered development starting from a young age. Moreover, said Taufik, Percasi showed independence by holding the junior national championship from its own funds.
Taufik, who is also a former athlete, admits that budget support is crucial in sports development. As the new Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, he promised to pay attention to chess athletes.
“This national championship is an important platform to produce talent not only at the national but also international level,” said Taufik.
“We have to pay attention because this is related to athletes. Pak Utut and I have also experienced being athletes,” said Taufik. (M-4)
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