ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club organised its silver jubilee and founding day celebrations, marking 25 years of excellence and remarkable achievements at local, continental, and global levels. The club chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Sultan Al Nahyan extended heartfelt gratitude on this special occasion to everyone who contributed to the club’s journey filled with outstanding accomplishments.
Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa praised the dedication and efforts of the club’s former board members, executive and technical teams, players, staff, drivers, workers, and the families of players. “We hope that the next phase will bring even greater initiatives and achievements. The club has gained international prominence, and we aspire to achieve more,” he said.
Among the club’s most notable global achievements was winning the 2024 World Rapid Chess Team Championship in Kazakhstan, a historic milestone for UAE sports as the first Arab club to claim this prestigious title. Additionally, club player Wafia Al Maamari won the Asian Individual Women’s Blitz Chess Championship (Amateurs category) and numerous Asian, Arab, and local tournaments.
The club has also signed external partnerships with major chess clubs in several advanced countries and local partnerships with 22 schools in Al Ain, UAE University, and community clubs. The club has launched pioneering community initiatives, such as the Al Ain Chess Forum for Schools and Kindergartens, the first of its kind in the Middle East. Other initiatives include the Global Move and Al Ain Overseas programmes, organising international tournaments in various countries, and a chess problem-solving competition during Ramadan with over 30,000 participants worldwide.
The club’s digital presence has seen significant growth across social media platforms, raising global awareness about club’s activities. The club has also organised numerous events, including Flag Day, Gratitude Day, the Four Seasons Festivals, and the December 2nd Festival to coincide with the Eid Al Etihad celebrations.
Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa emphasised that these accomplishments reflect the club’s vision and align with the strategy of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council to elevate the UAE’s sports ecosystem. He expressed optimism for even greater achievements in the future and reaffirmed the club’s commitment to its mission of promoting chess as a tool for mental and cultural development.