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Global Chess League: Vishwanathan Anand sees ‘new beginning’ in Dubai

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2 years ago

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Global Chess League (GCL), a joint venture between the world governing body FIDE and Tech Mahindra, announced Dubai as the venue for the inaugural edition at a press conference today.
The world’s largest and first franchise-based chess league will be held in Dubai in association with Dubai Sports Council. The announcement came at the Millennium Plaza Downtown hotel in front of the Museum of the Future.
Luminous dignitaries such as Dr Aman Puri (Consul General of India, Dubai), Viswanathan Anand (five-time world champion, and FIDE deputy president), CP Gurnani, Tech Mahindra managing director and CEO) and Jagdish Mitra (GCL chairman) were present. Among those sending in their best wishes on social media were Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, the Dubai Sports Council chairman.


Saeed Hareb, secretary general, Dubai Sports Council, said: “Hosting the Global Chess League is a momentous occasion for us. FIDE and Tech Mahindra’s vision for the league will truly bring the sport of chess to a new audience and help existing fans relate to the sport more than ever before. Global Chess League is a first-of-its-kind tournament with a team vs team format that will bring together the best chess players from across the world, representing major countries and providing a unique experience to chess fans globally. We look forward to welcoming champions from across the world to Dubai, the growing sports capital.”

The Global Chess League will draw the world’s attention to a new chess format and create an ecosystem for the sport, providing a platform for champions worldwide to showcase the potential of chess.

Viswanathan Anand, five-time world chess champion, and deputy president, FIDE, said, “Dubai has been attracting various sporting events. The World Chess Championship in Dubai in 2021 during the Dubai Expo was a big success. Similarly, I believe the Global Chess League will mark a new beginning in fan experience. Its unique team format will contribute to the growth and development of chess. The league aims to revolutionize the game by having established and emerging talent play together on the same team. All players, including men, women, and juniors, would contribute equally to their team’s success. I look forward to a fantastic inaugural season.”

The first season, set to take place from June 21 to July 2, 2023, will feature six teams with six players each, including a minimum of two female players and one icon player per team. The six teams will compete in a round-robin format where each team will play 10 matches.

The Global Chess League team at the announcement ceremony in front of the Museum Of The Future.

The FIDE president, Arkady Dvorkovich, said, “This city has established itself as a world-class events destination, and among many other major sporting events, it has hosted the FIDE World Championship Match 2021, which was a great success. Thanks to this experience, we couldn’t think of a better partner to deliver a memorable first edition of the Global Chess League.”

Each match will feature six boards that will be played simultaneously. The top two teams will qualify for the final and the winner will be crowned the World Champion Franchise Team.

Jagdish Mitra, GCL board chairman, said, “Dubai has emerged as a major global sports and business destination in the last decade. Its significant role in bolstering the UAE’s digital economy and strengthening its position as a global knowledge hub is noteworthy. This makes Dubai an ideal location for hosting the inaugural edition of a tournament like the Global Chess League. We believe that our partnership with Dubai Sports Council, the official sports governing body of the Government of Dubai, is a major step forward in further strengthening our ties with the country. We look forward to hosting a successful league in Dubai and ushering in a new era for the sport.”

The league will also set the standards for technological innovations in the sport of chess as FIDE and Tech Mahindra are exploring innovative ways to promote the game through interactive technology-enabled platforms by leveraging next-generation technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, among others.

 

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UAE eyes Olympic future with World Boxing membership

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19 hours ago

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March 18, 2025

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The UAE Boxing Federation is taking a major step onto the global stage, officially applying for World Boxing membership after receiving approval from the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports.

The decision comes hot on the heels of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Executive Board proposal on Monday to include boxing in the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympic Games program. The final decision will be made during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, from March 19-21, 2025.

This development follows World Boxing’s provisional recognition by the IOC in February, officially positioning the organisation as the new global governing body for the sport. It replaces the International Boxing Association (IBA), which has been banned by the IOC since 2019 due to governance and financial issues.

UAE Boxing Federation Secretary-General Hassan Al Hammadi confirmed that the country was among the first Arab and Asian nations to back the newly established World Boxing, following necessary approvals from the country’s sports authorities.

“We have obtained official approvals, and our membership application will be submitted before the end of the week as we prepare to join World Boxing,” Al Hammadi stated.

“Our goal is to ensure UAE athletes can compete at the highest level, including the Olympic Games, while meeting the required rankings and standards. Every athlete dreams of representing their country with pride, and we are committed to making that a reality,” he added.

Founded on April 13, 2023, World Boxing currently boasts 78 member federations and was created to restore credibility and integrity to the sport. With the IBA’s expulsion from the IOC, boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympics is being overseen directly by the IOC, ensuring fair competition and governance.

(Source: Wam)

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DP World ILT20 to sponsor Ramadan cricket tournament in Dubai

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4 days ago

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March 15, 2025

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Staying true to their commitment to develop and support UAE cricket, particularly at the grassroots, DP World ILT20 will sponsor the Ramadan cricket tournament to be held at the ICC Academy Oval 1 and 2 in Dubai from 13 March to 3 April 2025. 

The 22-day tournament will feature 10 domestic teams including the Dubai Cricket Council Starlets, Karwan Cricket Club, Emirates Fly Better, Seven District, Prospero Properties, Dubai Dare Devils, Consolidate Shipping Service, Z Games, Lexington Shot Guns, and GHK Properties, with over 200 players vying for the top prize. Each team will play nine single round-robin league games followed by semi-finals and the final. The tournament will be live streamed on both YouTube and Facebook.

Speaking about lending their support for the event David White, CEO of DP World ILT20 said, “It is DP World ILT20’s endeavour to support and nurture local talent in UAE. With 220 players turning up for the Ramadan cricket tournament, it’s a great opportunity to see and encourage emerging talent. We stay true to our commitment of developing cricket at the grassroots and I wish all the players the very best.”

The DP World ILT20 season 3 recently concluded with Dubai Capitals emerging as the new champions. While the league has been a global success, the DP World ILT20 amongst its many initiatives, continues to support domestic cricket at the grassroots level to help in the growth and development of the emerging local talent.

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Dubai to host 3,000 world-class athletes from 40 nations for biggest aquatics championship

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6 days ago

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March 13, 2025

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Dubai is gearing up to host its biggest Dubai International Aquatics Championships (DIAC) yet, with 3,000 athletes from 40 countries set to compete. The event will bring together top swimmers, divers, and water sports athletes for a series of high-level competitions. 

Organisers are expecting strong performances and a dynamic atmosphere, further cementing Dubai’s reputation as a key destination for international sporting events.

Held at the iconic Hamdan Sports Complex from March 21 to April 20, 2025, this month-long aquatic extravaganza will feature five adrenaline-pumping water sports, drawing some of the fiercest competitors on the planet.

From high-flying dives to electrifying swimming showdowns, fans are in for a thrill-fest like no other. Here’s what’s making waves on the schedule:

  • Diving (March 21-23) – Expect gravity-defying stunts as the world’s best divers fight for gold!
  • Water Polo (April 5) – A brutal battle in the pool where only the toughest teams will survive.
  • Open Water Swimming (April 5-6) – A true test of endurance in the ultimate long-distance aquatic war.
  • Synchronised Swimming (April 12-13) – Grace meets grit as teams deliver flawless, jaw-dropping routines.
  • Swimming (April 18-20) – The grand finale! Speed demons will leave it all in the water in a blistering race to the finish.

Organised in collaboration with the UAE Swimming Federation and top local academies, this championship is set to be an unmissable spectacle for fans of all things fast, fierce, and aquatic.

(Source: Wam)

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