Karpov-Torre friendly pushed

MANILA, Philippines – The Russians are coming.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia last Thursday welcomed the Russian Ambassador to the Philippines, Igor Anatolyevich Khovaev, to his office, and came out of the meeting highly satisfied.

“The Ambassador came to pay a courtesy call and brought up ideas how their government can help Philippine sports,” said Garcia, who was joined in the meeting by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco.

“He brought in many suggestions. He’s a very nice guy,” said Garcia.

One of the suggestions from the 54-year-old diplomat was a possible friendly match between chess Grandmasters Anatoly Karpov of Russia and Eugene Torre of the Philippines.

Karpov stood as the world champion from 1975 to 1985 but in a visit to Manila in 1975 he bowed to Torre, who became Asia’s first Grandmaster when he was only 22. Both legends are now 64.

“The Ambassador suggested that we put up Karpov and Torre together in a promotional match. He also offered if we want the Russian basketball team to visit as well as their volleyball team,” said Garcia.

The PSC chief also reminded Khovaev, who’s fluent in English, French and Vietnamese, of a memorandum of agreement between the Philippines and Russia in 2012.

The agreement, Garcia said, was forged during his visit to Russia four years ago.

“The Ambassador came to re-ignite the understanding that we have. He had many suggestions on how they can help with the equipment, coaches and asked why not send our athletes to Russia,” Garcia said.

Khovaev, who was Russian Ambassador to Vietnam from 2005 to 2010, asked the PSC and the POC to come up with a list of what the Philippines might need from Russia.

“He asked us to prepare a wish list. And then they will look at it. He asked us to be active in this because they want something to happen,” Garcia said.