Scrabble, chess find common ground

Mind games’ respective bodies pledge to hold events together.

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA) and the newly-elected body for the Pakistan Chess Federation (PCF) joined hands to hold future events together in order to promote the two sports in the country.

PSA and PCF held a joint press conference at Ramada Hotel in Karachi on Friday, where the PCF introduced their new office-bearers, including President Hanif Qureshi and Secretary Malik Saleem.

Vice-President Tariq Pervez said that the PSA has worked hard on the grass-roots level and managed to bring the World Youth Scrabble Championship crown to Pakistan in December.

“The decision is co-operation between the PSA and the PCF, but we will work independently,” Pervez told The Express Tribune. “We have decided to hold our local events together where chess and scrabble games will take place simultaneously at the same venue.”

Pervez further revealed that the PCF will hold a national event in Islamabad in March, where scrabble will also take place.

“This step will help us take scrabble to the northern region and the capital of the country,” said Pervez. “Additionally, the PSA holds local events in schools which will help the PCF to take chess to the grass-roots level.”

Pervez also said that the PSA is corresponding with India, Sri Lanka and the UAE in order to hold more international events.

“We are in talks with these countries. Hopefully Sri Lanka will hold an event in August,” he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2014.

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