KARACHI - Renowned British Chess Grand Master Dr Nigel Short has advocated for grooming young talent in Pakistan for developing and improving the game across the country.
"With due respect for veteran International Master Pakistan Champion Mahmood Lodhi, who had done a lot for the country, you needed to prepare next young generation for promoting and developing the chess," he told reporters on arrival at Quaid-e-Azam International Airport from England on Saturday. At the airport, Dr Nigel Short was received by PCPA Chairman Hanif Qureshi, Mind Sports Association (MSAP) Director Tariq Rasheed Khan and Raees Farooqi son of famous Pakistan chess player late Zahiruddin Farooqui.
Dr. Short is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Pakistan Chess Players Association (PCPA) as their Guest of Honor to watch the ongoing Zahiruddin Farooqui Trophy. "You have to think for the future to prepare a crop of young chess players, he added.
"You have got to tap talent and prepare and train them and chess at junior level is future of Pakistan and you have to go for talent hunt," Dr. Nigel Short said. He was awarded MBE by the Britain Queen in 1998. "You got to get a hero and roll model in chess and that would inspire the youngsters," Dr. Short said.
He said: "Look at the Indian chess super star Vishvanathan Anand he changed the face of Indian chess as a hero". He recalled that sub-continent and Pakistan have got rich chess history as one Sargodha player Sultan Khan featured in British Open Chess in 1920s. "It's nice to be in Pakistan. I will meet people and chess players and help them.”