Chess included in 2006 Asiad

Chess has been included in the 2006 Asian Games calendar in Doha, Qatar and is reportedly being mulled to be part of the 2003 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.

"This is a welcome development not only for chess players but to RP sports as well because it gave us more avenue to win medals,"said Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit.

Olympic Council of Asia president Qatari Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah sent Manila a letter confirming the inclusion of chess as one of the 38 disciplines in the 2006 Asiad.

Meanwhile, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain has named PSC Plans and Programs Division chief Cesar Pradas as acting executive director. — Joey Villar