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İşbank became the “Official Sponsor” of the Turkish Chess Federation which actively works for educating chess to youth and representing Turkey in important chess tournaments around the world. The sponsorhsip deal was signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State in Charge of SportsMehmet Ali Şahin, İşbank Chairman of the Board of Directors Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman and İşbank Chief Executive Officer Ersin Özince at a ceremony organized on Friday December 23rd, 2005. Turkey’s only chess grand master Suat Atalık was also present at the press conference with his wife grandmaster Ekaterina Atalık. The ceremony was broadcast live on the website of Turkish Chess Federation and was followed by almost a thousand people.

In the ceremony, which was held at İş Towers, other participants were members of İşbank Board of Directors, Deputy Executive Officers, Turkish Chess Federation President Ali Nihat Yazıcı and board members of the federation. Speaking at the ceremony, State Minister Mehmet Ali Şahin said that the support for Turkish sports and sportsmen grows each day. Şahin also emphasized the importance of the support given to Turkish Chess Federation by such a strong and leading company as İşbank.

İşbank Chairman of the Board of Directors Ahmet Kırman stated that in addition to sports which we all love and know about, there are other sports which should be spred: “Chess is one of these sports. As İş Bank, we deeply believe in chess and think that the position of chess in our country’s sports culture must be stronger. Today is the beginning of a partnership which sets an example of state-private sector cooperation in order to support sports. We, our Federation and Ministry, are setting off to develop the intelligence of our youth with chess, spread chess in Turkey and bring up the champions of the future.”

İşbank Chief Executive Officer Ersin Özince stated that it is the objective of İş Bank to contribute to children with improving analitic problem solving, strategy developing, standing on own feet and decision making skills through chess. Özince said: “İş Bank is one of the fundamental institutions of the economic and social life in our country… Founded with the signature of our great leader, İş Bank has been working to help develop our country since the first day. Our chess sponsorship is a reflection of that. There is one very important reason behind our decision to chess sponsorhip: Our love and faith for our children and intent to contribute in their growth. Turkey İş Bank says: “Future is our children’’. We see chess as something beyond a sports, we see it as a comprehensive educational and academic development project which helps mental development. And with our sponsorship project we aim to communicate the benefits of chess as an educational tool to millions of children.”

Özince also stated his belief that Turkish National Chess Team will achieve worldwide success soon.

With the sponsorship deal, İşbank will support Turkish Chess Federation in educating the youth about chess and developing new projects. İşbank will also support the publishing of an educational chess handbook and will also publish other chess related books from İşbank Culture Publications. Players who receive a licence from TCF will have their licences as ATM cards from İş Bank. Also, İşbank will be pass its name to Chess Super League.

Work will also begin on creating a chess league among schools in order to spread chess around Turkey and train Turkish chess champions.

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