JANEK MÄGGI ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN DRAUGHTS CONFEDERATION

Today, during the Congress of European Draughts Confederation, which took place at the organization’s headquarters in Tallinn Chess House, Janek Mäggi was elected President of the European Draughts Confederation for the second term and he became also Vice-president of the World Draughts Federation (FMJD) accordingly. Janek Mäggi has been leading the European confederation since 2007. A second Estonian, Aare Harak, who is Member of the Board of Estonian Draughts Federation and Chairman of the Finance Committee of FMJD, was also elected as Member of the Board of European Draughts Confederation. The European Draughts Confederation is the only international sports confederation, with its headquarters located in Tallinn, Estonia.

“The two of the world’s most significant draughts centers during recent years have been the Netherlands and Estonia,” says Harry Otten, President of the World Draughts Confederation (FMJD). “Janek Mäggi has been able to activate European draughts life considerably and attract new countries to join in. For example in 2009, the first championships with grand master norm, were organized in Stockholm, Sweden. Under Janek Mäggi’s leadership, all title competitions have taken place, regardless of the economic crisis. Also, the European team championships have been revived after 30 years. I believe that Estonian state, Tallinn city and Estonian draughts players have done a marvelous job in expanding the mind sports in Estonia and in all Europe. The work that has been done is a confirmation, that Janek Mäggi’s continuation on the position is not only very good, but also necessary.”

„Estonian Olympic family, whose member is Estonian Draughts Federation, is happy and proud for Janek Mäggi’s re-election as President of the European Draughts Confederation,” says Mr Mart Siimann, President of the Estonian Olympic Committee. „Today, the head of an international sports federation has to be someone who is devoted, can present new ideas and implement them, has authority, is able to find compromises and has excellent communication skills. Janek Mäggi is such a man.”

“At our meeting today, President of World Draughts Confederation, Mr Harry Otten assured that during the last 4 years Tallinn has become a major European Draughts capital,” says Ms Laine Randjärv, Vice-President of the Riigikogu. “4 years ago, when Janek Mäggi was elected President of the European Draughts Confederation for the first time, I was Minister of Culture. I saw, what kind of work has to be done when leading an international sports federation. The re-election of Janek Mäggi confirms that good work has been done. This is a recognition to Estonian state, who has been consistently supporting the activities of European Draughts Confederation and will continue doing so in the future as well.”

“The city of Tallinn and Estonian Draughts Federation have been in good co-operation for years,” says Tallinn City Mayor Edgar Savisaar. “Tallinn has supported all European title competitions that have taken place in Tallinn. The fact that Janek Mäggi was elected President for the second term proves that the only international sports headquarters, which is located in Tallinn, has done hard and reliable work. I would call the re-election of Janek Mäggi also a cultural event, which relates well with the Culture Capital 2011 status of Tallinn. Four years ago, when Janek Mäggi was elected President of the European Draughts Confederation for the first time, one of the main aims was to bring as many title competitions to Tallinn as possible. As a continuation to several important tournaments, which have taken place during the last four years, in August this year three title competitions will take place during Tallinn Draughts Festival. I believe that the re-election of Janek Mäggi is also a big recognition to Tallinn city and Estonian state. Unfortunately draughts is the only sports federation, which is administered from Tallinn since 2007, but I hope that this could be a good role model for other sports federations to enter the European golden league on the organizational level.”

“Leading the European Draughts Confederation is an honor, responsibility and obligation,” says Janek Mäggi, President of the European Draughts Confederation. “I am especially pleased that a second representative from Estonia was elected to the board of European Draughts Confederation – Aare Harak is Member of the Board of Estonian Draughts Federation and since this year Chairman of the Finance Committee of World Draughts Confederation. In addition to organizing title competitions, the objective of European Draughts Confederation is introducing draughts as a mind sports. During the last four years, when the headquarters of European Draughts Confederation has been located in Tallinn, Estonia, we have gained a lot of high level international attention. Thanks to that we have been able to organize different European championships in Tallinn almost every year. Therefore Tallinn is the competition spot of draughts with the busiest schedule in Europe. During the Tallinn Draughts Festival in August, youth world championship in Russian Draughts and European championship in flash checkers will take place. Today the European youth championship started. All in all there will be over 400 participants from 25 different countries participating at the competitions in August.”

European Draughts Confederation (www.europedraughts.org) was founded in 1998 by 12 European federations in Tallinn. Today 25 member states belong to the confederation. The first President of European Draughts Confederation was Polish Jacek Pawlicki and until the end of 2007 the headquarters of the confederation was located in Poland. The current President is Janek Mäggi, who is also President of the Estonian Draughts Federation since 1999. The headquarters of European Draughts Confederation is located in Tallinn Chess House, Vene st 29. European Draughts Confederation organizes European title competitions in draughts. The objective of European Draughts Confederation is introducing draughts as a mind sports and inviting new member states to join.