PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - The All Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) of West Java Province held a Regional Chess Championship (Kejurda) at the West Java Province level at the Tirta Hotel, Garut Regency, Monday (27/5/2024).

This championship was attended by 236 participants aged 6-19 years from 25 districts/cities in West Java.

Head of the Garut Regency Youth and Sports Service (Dispora), Ade Hendarsyah, expressed his pride because Garut Regency was trusted to host the West Java Provincial Chess Championship in 2024. Ade stated that chess is a sport that is popular in society.

"Perhaps the Chairman of Percasi Garut and Mr KONI know that we often hold championships, but maybe this year we will be trusted to host the West Java level," he said.

Ade hopes that the Chess Championship can produce outstanding athletes from each district/city. Apart from that, he saw this activity as an effort to develop and evaluate the training that had been carried out in each region.

"Apart from of course the province's interest in preparing its athletes for the national level, perhaps even international events," he said.

Ade also wants this activity to have a positive impact on the economy of Garut Regency by inviting many participants from outside the district.

"Then we also hope to get a positive impression for participants outside Garut Regency," he said.

Chairman of Percasi West Java Province, Deni Nurdyana, explained that this championship was part of the coaching efforts carried out by Percasi West Java Province and Percasi Garut Regency to produce new chess figures in Indonesia.

West Java itself, continued Deni, always wins the title in almost every national level competition.

According to Deni, Percasi West Java Province tries to develop chess athletes by involving them in various competitions, both regional, national and international. In fact, the Percasi center often sends world players to play and develop chess athletes in Indonesia.

"This year there was also a match in Jakarta which brought several world figures to play in Indonesia, so we will also send it there," he said.

Chairman of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Garut Regency, Abdusy Syakur Amin, said that this regional competition was a moment of preparation for athletes in Garut Regency in facing the 2024 Regency Sports Week (PORKAB).

"I hope this will be successful. We also want the implementation to run well, what is certain is that our children will have the opportunity to compete. One of the indicators of a good sport is systematic, tiered and continuous competition," he said.

He also hopes that in the future his party can hold a district level chess championship involving various parties, including universities and schools in Garut Regency.

"Chess is a sport that is not only physical but also cerebral, we support and encourage this gradually," he said.