Thursday, April 30, 2009

Sydney Open in Trouble

After just three years of existence, the Sydney International Open has well and truly established itself as the premiere chess open event in the country. Strong foreign masters, good prizes and a cosmopolitan setting are just a few reasons to make the SIO experience pretty special. But now the event is in big, big trouble. This year's edition could very well be the last!

Brian Jones, the SIO's organiser, has just sent a note to say that this year's SIO suffered a deficit of $2,890 due largely to a fall in sponsorship revenue. And as if that wasn't enough, the Pratt Foundation's 3-year support also ends in 2009. Thus, the tournament now faces a funding gap of $8 - $10,000. If that isn't filled, then the 2010 edition will not happen.

That is, unless Brian can find a saviour! Pledges of support, sponsors or fund-raising opportunities are encouraged to submit proposals by 30 September, 2009 to Mr Jones. Go past that date and the 2010 SIO is a dead duck.

Brian Jones' contact details can be found here.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did Brian lost all these money?

Anonymous said...

No, this isn't Brian's fault. Its another dud result and failure of Bill Gletsos and the NSWCA.

Anonymous said...

The SIO has nothing to do with the NSWCA or Gletsos.

It is a private event organised by Brian.

Gletsos personally sponsored the SIO in 2007 and 2008

How much did you contribute anonymous 12.39