Nigel Short's Visit to Pakistan
Fide Grand Master Nigel Short recently visited Pakistan. During his visit he met with the Government officials and played two simultaneous chess matches with the children. Here is the video link to his activity in Lahore http://www.maati.tv/2012/02/13/chess-a-day-spent-well/ . Below is the brief narrative of his activities in Pakistan. I would like to thank Mr. Hanif Qureshi, Chairman of the Pakistan Chess Players Association (PCPA) for his valuable effeorts towards revival of chess in Pakistan.
KARACHI
-In Karachi he participated in a Simultaneous chess exhibition against winning children of "ISEO" and was the Chief Guest at the Prize distribution ceremony of 2nd PCPA Zahiruddin Farooqui chess championship. Earlier Sindh Sports Minister Dr. Mohammad Ali Shah was the Chief Guest at the Opening ceremony.
ISLAMABAD
-In Islamabad his meeting were arranged with former Federal Minister of Sports Mr. Ijaz Jakhrani and Director General Pakistan Sports Board Mr. Amir Hamza Gillani.
Earlier he met:
-Pakistani Star cricketer Shahid Afridi.
-Mrs. Faryal Talpur (MNA and sister of the President of Pakistan Mr. Asif Zardari) who had invited Nigel to visit Sindh province as a special guest of the government of Pakistan.
-Speaker National Assambly Dr. Fehmida Mirza (a chess player herself, she asked Nigel to tech her a "few chess tricks"!)
-Chairman of National Assambly constitutional and national security committees, Senator Raza Rabbani.
Senator Rabbani promised to help bring a motion into the Parliament to bring chess into Pakistani schools (similar motions are presented both in the European and British Parliaments)
-Federal Minister Khursheed Shah.
-MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi Deputy Parliamentary Leader of MQM
-Chairman of Senate Treasury Committee, Senator Ahmed Ali
LAHORE
Nigel had participated in the simultaneous Chess Match against the winner juniors of "Little Master of Lahore" Tournament.
He was also a Guest of Honour at the Punjab Chess Championship.
