Abu Dhabi won the bid for the Chess Olympiad 2028. The FIDE General Assembly, meeting online on 17th December 2023, voted 96 in favor of Abu Dhabi, UAE vs 60 for Genoa, Italy.
In photo, Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan (seated, center) and to his right Abu Dhabi Sports Council General Secretary H.E. Aref Al Awani made the presentation to the General Assembly. Standing at right is UAE Chess Federation president Taryam Matar Taryam. Seated at left is Abu Dhabi Chess Club Chairman Hussein Abdullah Al-Khoury. Standing behind H.E. Al Awani is Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher.
The bid to secure the rights to host the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2028, FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities 2028, and FIDE Congress 2028 was a joint effort by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the UAE Chess Federation. The proposed venue for these events is the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the largest of its kind in the Middle East.
FIDE Executive Director Victor Bologan (center) and Secretary General Lukasz Turlej (second from right) during an inspection visit to Abu Dhabi.
Before the vote, FIDE conducted visits to both Abu Dhabi and Genoa to inspect the proposed venues and facilities. Official meetings were held with local and government authorities in both cities and with potential organizers.
In Abu Dhabi, meetings were conducted with prominent figures, including His Excellency Aref Al Awani, the General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the President of the Asian Chess Federation, H.E. Tarim Matar Muhammad Tarim, the President of the UAE Chess Federation, and Hussein Abdullah Al-Khoury, the President of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club.
FIDE’s inspection concluded that “Abu Dhabi presented a compelling bidding proposal, supported by the findings of the inspection visit on December 6th and 7th, 2023. The city boasts a robust transportation and accommodation infrastructure, a venue meeting top international standards, and experienced organizers capable of hosting world-class events not only in chess but in various other sports and spheres.”
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovic (left, background) visiting Asian Chess Federation President Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan (right, background).
This marks the second time that the UAE will host a chess Olympiad, following the event held in Dubai in 1986.
Abu Dhabi and the UAE have recently demonstrated a strong commitment to organizing numerous chess events. In 2023 alone, the country hosted the inaugural Global Chess League, the 29th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, and the Asia Chess Amateur Championship. The Emirate is hosting the Asian Youth Chess Championship in Al Ain.