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FACI invites applications for 2026 chess development project | The Express Tribune
Pakistan is among the countries eligible to apply for continued support. Photo: ZULFIQAR BAIG
ISLAMABAD:
Following Pakistan’s successful participation in the Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) 2025, applications have now officially opened for the FACI Project 2026, offering renewed opportunities for Asian chess federations to benefit from international-level training, grants and institutional support.
The Kazakhstan Chess Federation has announced the opening of the application process for FACI 2026. FACI is an international chess development project implemented by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation with the support of Freedom Holding Corp., in partnership with FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation (ACF). The initiative aims to promote the sustainable development of chess by strengthening national federations, expanding chess education and enhancing international cooperation.
In 2025, Pakistan was among seven national chess federations selected for support under FACI, alongside Oman, Cambodia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka and Jordan. A total of 22 applications were received, reflecting strong regional interest in the programme. Pakistan’s inclusion was widely seen as a positive step towards uplifting the country’s chess ecosystem, particularly at the youth and grassroots levels.
During the 2025 cycle, FACI organized 20 training camps and workshops for national teams and coaches, including online preparation sessions for participating countries such as Pakistan. Eight internationally qualified coaches, including grandmasters and international masters, conducted training programmes. For Pakistan, International Master Amanov Zhanibek worked with around 25 young chess players, helping improve technical skills and competitive readiness.
A major achievement of FACI 2025 was the provision of grants for young players to participate in the FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships held in Almaty, giving emerging talent exposure to top-level international competition. Participating countries, including Pakistan, also recorded prize-winning performances at international tournaments, underlining the impact of structured coaching and preparation.
Another notable outcome for Pakistan was the opening of a chess academy, aimed at ensuring long-term development and institutional support for the game. The project also included masterclasses, training sessions, simultaneous exhibitions, and international tournaments in Oman and Nepal, while promoting inclusive chess through initiatives such as the Infinite Chess programme.
Encouraged by the positive results of 2025, the organizers have now invited national chess federations to apply for FACI 2026.
Federations that participated in FACI 2025, including Pakistan, are also eligible to submit fresh applications for continued support in 2026. Final decisions will be made by the FACI Working Group and the President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, in accordance with the FACI Project Regulations.
With Pakistan’s encouraging experience in 2025, chess officials and players alike are hopeful that continued participation in FACI will further strengthen coaching standards, expand youth participation and enhance the country’s presence on the international chess stage.
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with a burglary that took place at the home of Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders in November, the Medina County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.
The three individuals who allegedly broke into Sanders’ home Nov. 16, as well as the driver of the vehicle involved, have been identified, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. The fourth suspect is at large with an active warrant for his arrest, according to the release, which also stated that the investigation has been completed.
The sheriff’s office said approximately $200,000 in property was stolen from Sanders’ home in Granger Township, a Cleveland suburb, during the break-in, which occurred while he was making his NFL debut in a Week 11 game against the visiting Baltimore Ravens.
Sanders, the 144th pick in the 2025 NFL draft, just completed his first season in the NFL. A son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and current Colorado coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur started the final seven games of the season for the Browns and completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
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President Donald Trump‘s granddaughter, Kai Trump, revealed on social media Wednesday she underwent surgery to repair a wrist injury.
Kai is an active golfer and made her LPGA debut in November at The Annika in Belleair, Florida.
“Today, I underwent left wrist surgery to address injuries to the stabilizing tissues of my ECU tendon and damage to my fibrocartilage complex. The surgery was successfully performed at the Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute by Dr. Thomas Graham, Chief of Jefferson Orthopedics. I look forward to my rehab in the coming months, I am excited for the ability to play golf pain free,” she wrote.
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Donald Trump, center, walks with granddaughter Kai Trump during the ProAm ahead of the LIV Golf Team Championship Oct. 27, 2022, at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Doral, Fla. (Michele Eve Sandberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The teen wore a bandage on her wrist during a recent interview on Logan Paul’s podcast, “Impaulsive.”
Trump finished in last place at The Annika but made a notable improvement in her second day of competition compared to her first day, improving by eight strokes.
She finished with a two-round score of 18-over 158, putting her 27 shots behind leader Grace Kim (65-66) and 17 away from the projected cut line at one over par.
KAI TRUMP, GRANDDAUGHTER OF DONALD TRUMP, REVEALS SHE ‘100%’ WANTS TO BE A PRO GOLFER
Kai Trump making her LPGA debut as an amateur at The Annika at Pelican Golf Club. (Accelerator)
“For the first day, I was definitely really nervous. I think the nerves just got to me,” she said. “When I went out there today, I felt very calm and peaceful, to be honest with you. That’s why I played better.
“I did everything I could possibly have done for this tournament. So, I think if you prepare right, the nerves can … they’re always going to be there, right? They can be a little softened. So, I would just say that.”
Trump’s performance earned the praise of women’s golf star Charley Hull, a supporter of the president.
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Kai Trump hits a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of The Annika golf tournament at Pelican Golf Club. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
“That’s really good considering this is not just an easy LPGA event. This is probably one of the harder courses that we play on,” Hull said of Trump, per Golf Channel.
“So, for her to come out, she had to be so nervous. It was her first LPGA event. I remember my first event. I was really nervous, and she’s got a lot of pressure on her and a lot of eyes on her.”
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PGA America CEO Derek Sprague, is stepping away from his role after one year to help support his mother and mother-in-law.
Sprague said he realized he needed to spend more time at home after his daughter’s wedding.
“At my daughter’s wedding last month in upstate New York, it became clear that my family needs me nearby to assist with the care of my mother and mother-in-law,” Sprague said in a statement. “Focusing on family has become my priority, and the best decision for me is to step away from my role as CEO and return home to be with them.”
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Derek Sprague announces on the first hole during the a.m. foursome matches for the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis., Sept. 24, 2021. (Montana Pritchard/PGA of America)
Sprague took over in January 2025, becoming the first club professional in 20 years and the first PGA president appointed to the role. He informed the PGA of America board in early December he needed to go home to Malone, New York, and said he would stay on in an advisory role until his successor is found.
Sprague, who served as PGA president from 2014-16, was selected as CEO to replace Seth Waugh, the former Deutsche Bank Americas CEO who had been lured out of retirement in 2018.
PRO GOLFER JHONATTAN VEGAS WEIGHS IN AFTER TRUMP ORDERS ‘LARGE SCALE STRIKE’ IN VENEZUELA
Derek Sprague, CEO of the PGA of America, speaks to the media prior to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte, N.C., May 13, 2025. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Waugh had been grooming Craig Kessler, the PGA’s chief operating officer, as a potential replacement, but the PGA board opted for one of its members. Kessler was appointed LPGA commissioner last summer.
Sprague stepping down extends the turnover in golf’s executive leadership. Brian Rolapp took over in August as CEO of the PGA Tour Enterprises, Kessler joined the LPGA in July and Mark Darbon is just over a year into his role as CEO of the R&A.
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Derek Sprague, PGA of America CEO, attends a press conference beside the Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course Sept. 17, 2025 in Farmingdale, N.Y. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Sprague was the PGA of America executive who reached out to Rory McIlroy to apologize for the verbal abuse that he and his wife endured at Bethpage Black during the Ryder Cup. McIlroy’s wife, Erica, previously worked at the PGA of America, and McIlroy said Sprague “couldn’t have been more gracious” in what he described as a “lovely letter.”
He was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2019.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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