A bridge of friendship to the country of waterfalls
The Moscow Region Chess Federation has signed a Memorandum of cooperation with Laos Chess Federation
Photo by the MRCF press office.
The Laos delegation presided by the federation president Vilavane Inthava decided not to lose time during their flight change in Moscow after the Buddhist chess tournament “The spirit of Dharma” in Elista. The chess players from this faraway Asian country have visited the Federation Council of the Russian Federation where they got acquainted with the Russian senator, the president of the Moscow Region Chess Federation, multiple world champion Sergey Karjakin.
During the meeting our international friends discussed possible collaboration between our two countries and building chess bridges. A special attention was paid to the popularization of the game among youngsters. Both countries hhave similar views on chess: for example in Laos like in Russia there is a “Chess in schools” program.
Vilavane Inthava shared his impressions on the tournament held in Elista: “I have long been waiting to go to Kalmykia. This is a special region – Asian people live in the European part of Russia. I wanted to know these people better. Yo know they are very familiar with Laos people actually. They are very kind too. I would also like to mentionthat the organizers did their best to make a good impression on us. The hotel, food and the program – everything was wonderful”.
Photo by the MRCF press office.
The meeting ended with a solemn signing of the Memorandum of cooperation with the Moscow Region Chess Federation and Laos Chess Federation. The memorandum is aiming to develop chess in both countries through organizing online events, experience exchange between trainers and mutual organization of trips to Russia and Laos for chess players.
“On October 7 we celebrate a 65-th anniversary of establishment of foreign relations between USSR and Laos People’s Democratic Republic. Russia and Laos are united by trust which have a historical foundation of mutual respect and support. The signing of the Memorandum with Laos Chess Federation is another brick in strengthening cultural ties between our countries”, – commented Sergey Karjakin.
In his turn Vilavane Inthava mentioned: “The development of chess in Laos is very complicated. Laos is not at all a chess country. But we are doing our best to correct the situation and allow our chess players to develop and master their skills. The cooperation with the Moscow Region Chess Federation is a very important step in this direction for us”.
The president of the Laos Chess Federation spoke fluent Russian saying: “I adore Russia. I have been here for many times starting from the Soviet times. I spent an important part of my life, studied in the higher school of Komsomol so Russia is very dear to me. But people are the most outstanding. I like food, culture, country – everything!”
