16.05.2018

Tahar Battikh suggested that the African сhess federations support Ilyumzhinov's team

On 15 May, President of the Tunisian Chess Federation, Minister Plenipotentiary, Director of the University and Educational Mission of Tunisia in Europe, Director of the Fund of the Tunisian Home on the International University Campus in Paris, former member of the Assembly of People’s Representatives (ARP), former Counsellor to the President of the Republic of Tunisia Professor Tahar Battikh sent a letter to presidents of African chess federations. The letter reads as follows:

"The kind attention of the presidents of African Chess Federations
Dear Presidents, dear colleagues,
I have the honour to bring to your attention my willingness and my enthusiasm to run for the position of Treasurer of the International Chess Federation on Ilyumzhinov’s presidential ticket.
After two years as president of the Tunisian Chess Federation, I organized the 5th francophone chess championship in October 2017 in Hammamet, Tunisia and also participated in the organization of the African chess congress, which was held in February 2018 in Sousse, Tunisia. Also the Tunisian Chess Federation organized during this period various regional and continental competitions.
As I told you at the last African Congress in Sousse, Tunisia intends to present its candidacy for the organization of the Olympiad of 2022, you had expressed your support and I am extremely grateful to you.
Due to my professional, sporting, associative and political experience, I consider that the ticket proposed by his excellency Kirsan Ilyumzhinov presents a certain development opportunity for our sport and I am convinced that we will see chess to reach other level of excellence and of distinction in the years to come.
Indeed, the political and economic weight of these members will be a definite asset, especially for our African federations, which need the logistical and financial support so that finally chess in Africa have the position and the influence that we deserve.
Some of you are able to testify, even better than me, to the efforts of His Excellency Kirsan Ilyumzhinov for the benefit of our continent and for the benefit of developing countries in general. I regret the slanderous campaign to which he was subjected, I consider that those who were behind these campaigns and claim to be able to replace him are precisely those who have been responsible for the poor governance of FIDE during these last years. These "leaders" have, for too long, been prejudicing our sport. In addition, our continent was the last of their worries. During all this time, and many of you have confirmed this, Mr Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was responsible for providing the necessary funds for the proper functioning of FIDE structures.
Just the presence of at least two Africans in the leadership team proposed by Mr Kirsan shows his respect for Africa and the potential development of chess in our continent.
Dear Presidents, dear Colleagues,
For all these considerations and for many others, I ask for your support and I pledge to do my best to defend and serve, as a priority, our African federations."