NAG, the experience and major going ons.

NAG in Penang was a fantastic experience for many of us. I heard chinese and malay families saying that it was like experiencing a throw back in time. A time when we had a different Malaysia, a more inclusive Malaysia. Before todays complications.

PCA is also a very well managed Association and in my opinion, a model for other Associations to emulate. The amount of goodwill and cooperation among Penang players is well known to chess players. First GM chess Academy has invited Loo Swee Leong, the Penang coach to come to Ipoh to share with our trainers this Saturday. I hope this will happen.

Another conversation is noteworthy. Penang had a special room downstairs where they analyse games. Some parents from other States thought it was maybe a little unfair but I think that is what we all should aspire to. That all State Associations would want to emulate this. Lets incorporate best practices. Let us all rise together.

Many other things happened which I will write on later. But first let me congratulate Perak. This is my 3rd NAG and for the first time I saw "many" Perak players. Cikgu Amin, brought down Putri and Munirah. The Fong brothers were there, Aaron Teh flew in all the way from China to represent Perak! And do you know it, Perak now have 5 players who can play for Malaysia. For NAG, the selection process to play for Malaysia is top 4. So the Perakian Malaysian players are now, Aaron Teh, Fong Yit San, Mark Siew, Putri and Munirah. I believe we haven't had National representation for overseas tournaments in a very very long time. Since 1975, as best as I can ascertain and now 5 players. Wow! Well done boys and girls. Well done Perak.

I have also invited cikgu Amin to share with our trainers this Saturday. So thank you cikgu for your dedication to our players.

NOTE: To Najib...Putri the U18G silver medallist is from Perak. Please change the medal tally. Thank you.

For full results please see here.

For the photos and blow by blow please click here.

A suggestion if I may; since Salleh from gilocatur was there, couln't we have used him to give even more publicity to the event by cooperating and giving him the official results so people can follow the event live. This will help generate more interest in this important event.

For Mark and me, this has been a long road to the National level. A major problem was getting information. We didn't even know of the existence or importance of the event until we were informed by Sumant. PICA does not see NAG or the National Junior as important events. I think this attitude has prevented many earlier Perak players from the opportunity of playing for Malaysia. I hope they will change their minds now that we have 5 National players. As far as I know, PICA did not publicise or encourage Perakians to participate in this event. What a shame.