The Emirati sports administrator secured one of three vice-presidential seats during the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan — Fouad Darwish, Vice President of the UAE Chess Federation, has been elected Vice President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
The election took place on Sunday during the FIDE General Assembly at the Silk Road Samarkand complex in Uzbekistan. The gathering of national delegates was convened on the sidelines of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, which concluded its final round in the historic city over the weekend.
Darwish was selected as one of three vice presidents chosen to serve on the governing body’s executive leadership. His appointment places an Emirati sports administrator in a senior decision-making capacity within world chess governance at a time when the federation is broadening its global footprint.
Dr. Ismail Ibrahim Al Khoori, President of the UAE Chess Federation, welcomed the outcome, describing Darwish’s victory as a significant step forward for the game in the UAE and a sign of growing international confidence in Emirati administrators. Al Khoori added that sports leaders from the country possess the administrative expertise and institutional experience needed to contribute meaningfully to governing bodies on the world stage.
Speaking after the vote, Darwish expressed gratitude to the UAE Chess Federation for endorsing his nomination and backing his campaign. He noted that his presence in the international body’s leadership would help him champion chess development programs at both the domestic and global levels.
The FIDE Congress in Samarkand brought together representatives from member federations worldwide to review policy, address international competition calendars, and elect key governance officials alongside the flagship biennial team tournament.
