BD to play in Special FIDE Olympiad

Bangladesh will take part in the inaugural FIDE Olympiad for People with Disabilities, to be held in Belgrade from January 29.

The Bangladesh team, comprising Khorshed Alam, Syed Ejaz Husain, Bappy Sarkar and Ali Newaz Sarker will take part in the six-round Swiss-League tournament.

106 countries applied for participation, but FIDE selected only 24 countries and two teams from host nation Serbia. "FIDE will bear the air fare while the hosts will bear the cost of accommodation and food," Bangladesh Chess Federation general secretary Syed Shahabuddin Shamim informedat a press conference yesterday.

"We hope to finish between 10th and 15th in the tournament, and we believe participating will enhance Bangladesh's image since FIDE included only six countries from Asia," said Shamim.+

The players will be accompanied by FIDE instructor Masudur Rahman and are scheduled to leave for Belgrade on January 28.