Draft:Mottaz Alsulaiman
Saudi entrepreneur and sports administrator
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Mottaz Abdulrahman Alsulaiman (معتز عبدالرحمن السليمان) is a Saudi entrepreneur and sports administrator who served as the founding president of the Saudi Arabia Chess Federation (SCF) in 2017. He led the organization of the 2017 King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Riyadh, the first world chess championship held in Saudi Arabia.[1][2]
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- Entrepreneur
- Sports administrator
Mottaz Alsulaiman | |
|---|---|
معتز السليمان | |
| Born | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| Alma mater | London Metropolitan University The American University of Paris |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | Founding president of the Saudi Arabia Chess Federation |
| Title | President, Saudi Arabia Chess Federation (2017–2018) |
Early life and education
Alsulaiman was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and grew up between Saudi Arabia, Washington, D.C., and London.[3] He attended Al Anjel Private School in Saudi Arabia before studying at London Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom and The American University of Paris in France.[3][4]
Business career
Saudi Arabia Chess Federation
Founding
The Saudi Arabia Chess Federation was established on 1 October 2017 under the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia.[5] Alsulaiman was appointed as its first president and chairman of the board of directors.[1][6]
The federation's creation came approximately two years after Saudi Arabia's grand mufti had issued a ruling prohibiting chess in 2015.[7] Alsulaiman formed the SCF's first board of directors on 21 December 2017 at the General Sports Authority headquarters, with members including Ahmed Al-Balali (Vice President) and Princess Lama Khalid Al-Sudairi.[8]
2017 King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships
As president of the SCF and Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee, Alsulaiman oversaw the hosting of the 2017 King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, held from 26 to 30 December 2017 at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Riyadh.[2][9]
The championship attracted 236 players from 70 countries, including world champion Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, and Sergey Karjakin.[1][9] The total prize fund of US$2 million was the highest in FIDE rapid and blitz championship history at the time.[10][11]
The hosting agreement was signed in London in October 2017 by General Sports Authority Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh and FIDE officials.[12] In an interview with Okaz, Alsulaiman described the hosting as a direct outcome of Saudi Vision 2030.[13]
The event was notable for several reasons: female players were not required to wear hijab or abaya, which was described as a first for a sporting event in Saudi Arabia; 15 Saudi players and 10 Saudi referees participated; and visas were secured for players from Iran and Qatar despite ongoing diplomatic tensions.[1][2]
Anand won the Rapid championship, while Carlsen won the Blitz title.[7] The closing ceremony was attended by the Deputy Chairman of the General Sports Authority, who crowned the winners.[14]
Legacy
Alsulaiman was succeeded as SCF president in 2018 by Dr. Abdullah bin Salem Al-Wahshi, who subsequently became CEO of the Asian Chess Federation and in 2022 became the first Arab member of the FIDE Advisory Board.[15]