The Sharjah Cultural Chess Club on August 24 held a meeting to review its action plan for introducing chess in schools throughout the emirate during the 2026-2027 academic year. Tareq Matar Taryam chairman of the club chaired the session which included Abdullah Murad Al Mazmi head of the technical and talent development department Dr. Mamoun Saleh Al Daroos the executive director along with supervisors coordinators coaches and administrative staff. The initiative focuses on widening participation in chess identifying promising players and positioning schools as the main entry point for talent recruitment according to Sharjah24.[[1]](https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2026/08/24/a19)
Sharjah24 reported that the plan prioritises early detection of talent especially among children under eight years old with systems to track their progress and guide top performers toward club membership. Participants in the meeting mapped schools in the eastern and central regions allocated coaches according to requirements and prepared visit schedules training sessions and equipment supplies for the selected sites. Coordination with school administrations and parents will facilitate registration of standout students with clubs while all necessary data procedures are to be finalised before the end of 2026.
The club initiative aligns with national efforts that have already shown strong uptake. The UAE Chess Federation in October 2025 announced the opening of new school centres across all emirates after qualifying more than 500 teachers and distributing equipment and tables to partner institutions.[[2]](https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bmc040i-uae-chess-federation-opens-new-school-centres-for) Federation figures show more than 8,000 male and female students expressed enthusiasm for the programme which enjoys support from schools educational districts and clubs under guidance from the Ministry of Sports. Activities continue on weekends in cooperation with the Ministry of Education leading toward student competitions that apply the International Chess Federation Education Commission curriculum.
Discussions at the August 24 meeting also covered establishment of clear indicators to measure the recruitment and development of talented players. Officials examined ways to strengthen communication channels between schools and chess clubs so that promising students receive continuous support beyond initial training sessions. This structured approach seeks to create a sustainable chess base within the emirate that can feed into higher-level competition.
The review forms part of the club’s ongoing commitment to youth development that has included summer programmes combining chess instruction with educational workshops. Earlier reporting from Khaleej Times noted the club’s strategy to reach all schools in Sharjah to uncover new talents and expand the sport’s footprint in the education system. Such steps build on the emirate’s established reputation for hosting international chess events and nurturing competitive players at regional and global levels.
