VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s top chessman Le Quang Liem insisted that he did not violate the sponsorship deal signed with the Vietnam Chess Federation.

Studying in the US, Quang Liem may lose local funding

Le Quang Liem.

- It was believed that your focus on the chess career has been affected after you went to the US for studies. Is it correct?

- It's inaccurate information. Currently, besides studying at the Webster University, I still pay attention to practice chess and participating in chess tournaments. The recent results are still very good and my Elo is still maintained at above 2700.

Before studying abroad, I submitted an application asking for the permission of the Sports and Physical Training Administration, the Vietnam Chess Federation and the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In the application, I committed to fulfill the national obligations in the important tournaments. According to plans, I will play in the Asian Team Championships, the Olympiad and the rapid and blitz chess championship this summer, as a member of the Vietnamese team.

- But it may be the reason given to justify the cancellation of the sponsorship contract with Liem?

- The sponsorship deal signed between me and the Vietnam Chess Federation on November 3, 2011 has no provision stipulating that if I go to study overseas, the contract will be terminated.

Under this contract, I am financed $150,000 in four years as follows: 2012 - $30,000, 2013 - $35,000, 2014 - $40,000 and 2015 - $45,000. Early each year, the money will be transferred to me by the chess federation in VND, at the real exchange rate in Vietnam.

I’m responsible to use the funding to hire coaches and co-workers to practice and train for international competitions, to participate in the tournaments that are funded by the state budget and to purchase equipment, documents and expertise software... I have the responsibility to draw the balance sheet with the chess federation at the year-end.

- How much money have you received?

- I received funding twice: VND200 million ($10,000) on June 15, 2012 and nearly VND95 million ($4,500) on September 11, 2013.

So far, I've spent VND228 million ($11,000) in three international competitions in 2012 and 2013. In 2012-2013 I received a total amount of VND295 million, approximately 23 percent of the funding plan for the two corresponding years.

I began studying abroad in August 2013, so it is not true to say that the sponsor wanted to stop the sponsorship contract because I study abroad. The contract was not implemented properly by the chess federation right in the first year 2012.

- What is your viewpoint when the sponsor wanted to terminate the contract?

- I talked to Mr. Phuoc Trung, General Secretary of the Vietnam Chess Federation, saying that if the donor is difficult because of the general economic situation, they should state to end the contract.

The Vietnam Chess Federation and the sponsor held a grand ceremony for the signing of the contract so they should make a clear statement for the ending, to avoid misleading people that I have received full funding.

I understand that there are real unexpected economic developments, but in my opinion the chess federation and the sponsor must ensure the principles of objectivity. I always comply with the contract and it is unreasonable to take my overseas study as the reason to terminate the contract.

VNE