2006 EGF Congress Disclaimer by Rome Club (was: Italian Go - the latest twists)
Avatar DJ Flux
> q...@omen.ru wrote:
> > > Looking forward to meeting you all at the 50th European Go
> > > Congress in Rome (Frascati).
> > The first European Go Congress ever which has been organised in
> > the teeth of the local Go club - go on, have fun.
> >
> >
> > What does it mean?
> > By the way, will they set any cash prizes for the winners?
>
> I am not sure what this means or how valid it is. However it sounds
> like they are saying this is the first ever European Go Congress
> organised by the local club (perhaps by the local club alone?).
> http://www.figg.org/clubs-ita.html doesn't seem to list Frascati to me,
> but I may be missing it.
It is exactly the opposite...
I would like to better explain Neil's colourful expression, that
nevertheless catches very well the bitterness of Roman Go players
toward FIGG's politics and actions.
I am the current AGI President, but here I am writing as a normal go
player, who happens to have founded some 24 years ago the Go Club of
Rome "Fujisawa Shuko" and who is its principal organiser since
then.
The Go Club of Rome is the second club of Italy as history goes, after
Milan. It has always been one of the largest of Italy and it has today
maybe the largest number of players in the same place, some 30 more
players, ranging from 1d to absolute beginners.
The Club has always organised international tournaments, some of them
legendary (the ones at Ischia...) and with the largest attendance in
those years in Italy.
We have collaborated with the Embassy of Japan, the Nihon Ki-in and JAL
to organise prestigious events and bring to Italy top professionals
like Ishii Kunio 9D, Kudo Norio 9D and last but certainly not least
Takemiya Masaki Honinbo.
Now, such a Club, that has made the history of Go in Italy, has NEVER
been informed or asked for opinion by FIGG when they started to think
of holding the EGF Congress in Italy, and, of all places, in our very
city.
We have NEVER been contacted by FIGG when they formalised the proposal
to the EGF in 1999. We learnt the fact from the Internet.
Since then we have NEVER been consulted by FIGG about the organisation
of the Congress, nor we have been asked any information about the
opportunities that the Eternal City offers to host such events (which
are of course many and beautiful).
And, sure enough, FIGG had to move the location to Frascati.
Mind you, Frascati is a delightful little town in the hills some 35 km
south of Rome, famous for its white wines. Pity that it is not very
well linked to Rome (if I remember correctly, the last bus from Rome to
Frascati leaves around 21:00).
I also have some doubts about cheap accommodations for hundreds of
people there, but I cannot really tell.
Could FIGG have asked us? Sure, but you know, we are all AGI members
here... So typical of FIGG!
No wonder the Roman Go players are disgusted with them. These are the
behaviours that have caused the fracture of Italian go. These are the
behaviours that keep the fracture open.
The Roman Go players of course wish the Congress to be successful, but
one thing must be clear: we had, we have and we will have no part in
its organisation and management.
Therefore we will not claim any merit for its success, but we will not
accept any blame for its failure.
BTW, the Congress logo on FIGG homepage is really ugly!!! It seems
sketched by a talentless 11-year old boy... Couldn't they have come
up with something a little more professional?
Fulvio Savagnone
Founder and President
Go Club of Rome "Fujisawa Shuko"
P.S.
All the European players attending the Congress will of course be
welcome at our club. We will possibly keep the Club open every evening
during the Congress. Here are the details:
Go Club di Roma "Fujisawa Shuko"
c/o "il Garabombo"
Via dei Quattro Cantoni 41 (underground station "Cavour" - B
Line)
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 21:30
tel. 06 489 03 530
romag...@iol.it
www.agi.go.it/public/GoClubRoma/Roma_front.html