Rachmadi elected Percasi chairman<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Bambang Rachmadi was chosen by
\nacclamation as chairman of the Indonesian Chess Federation
\n(Percasi) on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The federation's plenary meeting, begun on Saturday, chose
\nRachmadi to lead Percasi in the 1999-2003 period. He succeeds
\nMinister\/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung. Akbar is also chairman
\nof the Golkar party.<\/p>\n
Rachmadi is currently president of the McDonald's fast food
\nfranchise. He was formerly director at Bank Duta and president of
\nBank Panin.<\/p>\n
Rachmadi was given one month to select officials for the
\nfederation. Machnan Kamaluddin and Hendry Djamals are among those
\non the board.<\/p>\n
\"I will give all my time for the development of chess in the
\ncountry,\" Rachmadi said, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
His ambition is to create world class chess players. He
\nadmitted that this could not be achieved without the cooperation
\nof the federation's members.<\/p>\n
\"I am confident that we can create a world chess champion from
\nIndonesia, as the country has players with potential. Now let us
\nprove that we can achieve this target,\" Rachmadi said.<\/p>\n
Rachmadi disagreed with suggestions that a lot of money is
\nrequired to develop chess. \"I don't see why we need much funding
\nfor chess. What we should concentrate on is improving our
\nplayers.\"<\/p>\n
Rachmadi's nomination as Percasi chairman was welcomed by
\nseveral regional offices of the federation, such as Maluku, East
\nJava, Jambi, South Kalimantan and South Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
Alfa Budiman from South Sulawesi praised Bambang as being
\n\"professional and dedicated\".<\/p>\n
\"Bambang always shows his confidence that chess will progress
\nwell and he aims to prove it in the coming four years,\" Alfa
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, about 300 chess players from 27 provinces in the
\ncountry are currently competing in the national championship at
\nthe Utut Adianto chess school in Bekasi.<\/p>\n
The championship, held until April 16, is attended by top
\nplayers like international masters Salor Sitanggang and Bobby
\nKurniawan, Fide master Hamdani and two young stars Susanto
\nMegaranto and Taufik Halay.<\/p>\n
National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar was at
\nthe school on Saturday to open the championship.<\/p>\n
In his brief speech, Wismoyo expressed his hopes that the
\nschool could turn out good chess players.<\/p>\n
\"I hope that we can create players of the caliber of Utut, and
\nI am confident that the school can do it,\" Wismoyo said. (lnt)<\/p>",
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