05/03/2023
Dear Friends,
"It is not an easy task to conduct 100th successful tournaments through hard work alone without the incentive of cash prizes for the players in the tournament"
Today, in two years, another dream of mine came true. A seemingly easy and simple looking online tournament has been making me sick for 2 years. When I finish 2 different tournaments on Sunday and sleep on Sunday, I start preparing for the next tournament on Monday morning. Throughout the week I stay in touch with my tournament players and try to bring new players online. I talk to them sometimes on email, sometimes on messenger and sometimes on WhatsApp. In the meantime, I painstakingly create various posters to generate interest in the tournament. I keep the players motivated throughout the week. And when Sunday comes, I let everyone know via personal message and Facebook that the tournament is about to start. When the tournament is over, I make the results and post them in various places. It doesn't end there, after the tournament is over I also create certificates for the top three successful players. Thus I hold two separate online tournaments every Sunday. Thus I have labored for 100 Sundays. So today I have set the record of completing 100th tournaments in the world of checkers which is a milestone. We have given international recognition to many players from around the world especially from Asia and Africa through our online tournaments, today these players are invited for offline international tournaments. I had to work hard for it. During this time I never got rest. During this time I also worked for the promotion of various international tournaments like WQT and many others. Apart from this I conducted offline tournaments and various draughts training programs for kids in Pakistan. I also organized National Championship of Checkers and National Championship of 10×10. I have been working tirelessly for the promotion of checkers and draughts for seven consecutive years. Which is not hidden from anyone. In addition to 100th online checkers, I have also organized 75th 10×10 tournaments. In those years there were days when I was sick and days when my mother died the day before. Undoubtedly, this tireless work earned me immense respect and honor, but it also took away my health.
I thank all my friends who have given me love and encouraged my work.
Iqbal Ahmed Salarzai