Campomanes receives ‘Spirit of Sport’ award

There’s no stopping this grand old man of Philippine chess.

Florencio Campomanes, the honorary president of the international chess federation FIDE, recently added another feather to his cap – the Spirit of Sport award from the General Association of International Sports Federations or GAISF.

Campomanes, 81, flew to Athens last week to personally receive the prestigious award from the body that comprises all the sports federations and organizations under the International Olympic Committee.

The award was created to recognize and honor the individuals who have contributed to the development of their sport. And among its 14 previous recipients are Juan Antonio Samaranch, Borislav Stankovich and H.S.H. Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

“With great honor I accepted the award,” said Campomanes yesterday when he dropped by at the PSA Forum.

“I didn’t know until belatedly that FIDE nominated me for this award. Still, I am very honored. I thank FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov for being instrumental in this nomination,” he added.

In his speech before the GAISF delegates, Campomanes shared the award with all his colleagues in FIDE whom he said, “equally deserved the award.” – Abac Cordero