MISAMIS Occidental may still be a mile behind from other provinces in Northern Mindanao when it comes to local chess development. But a serious approach on a comprehensive chess program fully-supported by Governor Henry S. Oaminal and now implemented by Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo may get its concerted efforts and commitment into a different level in the coming years.
Just recently, the Department of Education of Misamis Occidental held the so-called Asenso sa Sports Clinic for Coaches with the theme: ‘To Gather, Together, To Get There.’
It assembled mostly chess-loving public teachers and coaches at the Tudela Municipal Civic Gymnasium on October 6 with International Master Ronald Bancod from Manila and Fide National Arbiter Lorenzo Cuizon from Cagayan de Oro City among the invited guests.
The veteran chess campaigner Bancod shared his expertise on chess theory and practice, while arbiter Cuizon lectured the participants on laws of chess hands on manual and computerized pairings.
AGM Urbiztondo thanked MisOcc-DepEd Superintendent Reynaldo Manuel and local sports coordinators Cheryl Samonte and Gain Paul for the opportunity and stoking the fire of bringing quality chess clinic down to the grassroots level.
