Of Becoming A FIDE Arbiter....

I was browsing the FIDE website recently in view that the Presidential Board Meeting is just over in Elista, eager to know the result of my FA application. The late submission of my application for approval in the last Presidential Board Meeting held in Al-Ain has delayed the approval and I was hoping very much that I would get it confirmed this time around. Along with me, there are three other candidates from Malaysia - Collin Madhavan, Mok Tze Meng and Khairunnisa Wahiduddin. For most of us, this application came in after a long void with Peter Long as the last Malaysian making the FA title, and Tse Pin as the last Malaysian to attain the IA title (only two of them in the last 10 years or so). For Khairunnisa, if she made it, she would be the first female recognized Arbiter in Malaysia and I am sure, she is eager to secure the IA title - as the youngest Arbiter in Malaysia as well. Whatever it is, I hope the title for all of us - Mok, Collin, Nisa and me, would be approved soon.... It has been a long wait so I guess, what is another week or two (or more!). I believe, had I not gone back to Johor to work in the early 90's, I would have made the IA title much much sooner (but that is another story)

I was already browsing the FIDE website on Monday (the Presidential Board ends on Sunday) and what I saw was encouraging - but still, I need to wait for the "official" word from FIDE and MCF. In any event, it was enough to put a smile on my face....


Well guys.... If this is official, the next step would be going for IA. And that, would probably take another year or so. And whilst the country is also hoping to get our own GM in the near future, competent and able officials are also needed to ensure that chess events are conducted professionally and efficiently. Of course the glamor and glitter may not be the same, but nonetheless essential to ensure a proper growth and chess development in the country. Political belief and differences aside - I am referring to political from a chess stand point and not the BN-PKR General Election hype *grin* - the support and cooperation from everyone, every chess player, chess club, association, parents, officials, supporters and fans from within the chess community and outside of the chess fraternity, are essential and crucial to see the game move to a higher plateau....

In any case... This question is to MCF - Are the titles now official for me and my 3 arbiter friends?