Ajman: The Gulf Chess Federation, led by Ahmed Ali Al Raisi, has announced the approval for the 2026 Gulf Individual Junior Chess Championship (Classic) for boys and girls. Scheduled to take place in Ajman from July 3 to 9, the championship aims to develop age-group categories and allocate prizes for the winners.
According to Emirates News Agency, the federation emphasized that the timing coincides with the end of the academic year across GCC countries, potentially boosting participation levels and competitiveness among young players. The decision was reached during the federation's inaugural meeting, conducted via video conference.
As the 2026-2027 term begins, Al Raisi welcomed board members, highlighting the importance of their collective expertise in advancing chess in GCC nations. The meeting also involved reviewing updates on the preparation of a unified statute for Gulf sports federations.
The council examined the draft statute prepared by the UAE National Olympic Committee, with plans to finalize it for approval in the next meeting. Discussions also included organizing another Gulf championship in Oman next November, pending coordination with the necessary authorities for organizational procedures.
At the meeting's conclusion, the council recommended several executive actions, including finalizing the amended statute, detailing the junior championship, and forming permanent committees to enhance institutional efficiency and achieve strategic objectives.