Fiji Sun - 31/01/10

Dr. Virgilio De Asa has been re-elected as the president of the Fiji Chess Federation during their Annual General Meeting yesterday at the FASANOC house.

De Asa’s re-appointment made him the longest serving chess president in the country having served at the position for the last 15 years.

The Suva based doctor said he’s honoured to be re-appointed to serve for another term and would do his best promoting the sport to grassroot level.

He said he would continue to offer his service for the sport until he’s service was no longer needed.

“This is the 16th year I have been the president of the FCF and I’m honoured to serve,” he said.

“I’m lucky to have many committed workers around me who have worked so hard in taking the sport to newer heights.

“Even during the election, all the positions were unopposed and this is a good sign that the current officials have been excellent in their separate fields of works.

“Now the challenge is on us to keep on improving in all aspects of the game on and off the court,” De Asa said.

He said he has been through a lot during his 15 years at the helm of the sport and his dream was to see Fiji players competed at a world championship in the future.

De Asa has also set his focus on nurturing aspiring players to keep the torch burning for the sport.

“These current players will soon go and there’s a need to keep on nurturing more young players to cover for those that wanted to resign from the sport.”

De Asa would serve another year as the president with Calvin Prasad and Gloria Sukhu assisting him.

Jashint Maharaj has again re-elected as the secretary assisted by Gaurav Raicar while school teacher and national chess champion Manoj Kumar will be their money man.

The committee consisted of Neel Arora, Goru Arvind and Krishneel Nair.