Sharjah24: The tenth edition of the Chess Championship for Government Departments and institutions was kicked off on Tuesday evening, which is organized by the Sharjah Government Employees Club (SGEC) in cooperation with the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club and under the supervision of the Sharjah Sports Council.

The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Mualla, President of the Arab Federation and Chairman of the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club, His Excellency Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadim, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Sharjah Government Employees Club, and His Excellency Counselor Hamid Ali Al Abbar, Vice President of the Sharjah Government Employees Club. 

47 players from 27 government departments and institutions in Sharjah are participating in the tournament: the General Directorate of Civil Defense, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Cooperative Society, Department of Planning and Survey, Sharjah Heritage Institute, Sharjah Educational District, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, Electricity, Sharjah Water and Gas Authority , Bee’ah, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Emirates Red Crescent, Sharjah Museums Authority, Sharjah Airport Authority,  The Holy Quran Academy, Sharjah Endowments Department, Department of Culture , Sharjah Islamic Bank, Dibba Al-Hisn Cultural and Sports Club, Sharjah Health Authority, Sharjah Chess and Culture Club for girls , Sharjah Police General Command, Al Qasimia University, Sharjah Media City, Sharjah Social Services Department, Central Finance Department and Al Qasimi Hospital in Sharjah.

The results of the first day’s competitions announced as following:  Othman Ibrahim Salem from the Sharjah Radio and Television Authority and Hussain Haji Yousfi from Sharjah Islamic Bank.

Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadim, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Sharjah Government Employees Club, confirmed that the tournament's successes in previous editions have attracted many players from all government institutions in the emirate, pointing out that the sports and cultural programs and events organized by the Sharjah Government Employees Club aim to develop competitiveness. The club also thanked the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club for hosting the tournament and organising the technical aspects of the competitions, and to the media, which have a major role in introducing the community to the club’s mission and goals.