Why did AGA not continue the pro certification program?

[mhlepore]

Just got this email from the National Go Center:

The NAGF Pro Qualifier scheduled August 16-21 at the NGC has been cancelled due to concerns about international travel and the recent Covid surge. We would like to thank everyone who volunteered to help with this event and look forward to its rescheduling.

[Kirby]

I agree that online go is easier and more practical.

I just claim that if the AGA is serious about having pros competitive in Asia, they need more serious competition with pros in Asia.

I don't think this is that controversial. Practicalities and details wpuld need to be worked out, of course.

[lodestone]

Looks like the next pro qualifier tournament is back on. Twelve contenders for two spots.

https://nagofed.org/docs/2022-pro-quali ... -rules.pdf

[RobertJasiek]

Is Remi Campagnie European?

[Ferran]

Is Remi Campagnie European?

Nah... why would you say that?

My supposition is that he might be living (post-grad? job?) in the States or Quebec. The announcement last month states...

Eligibility:
● Citizens of countries or territories located in North America
● Currently living in North America
● Not a certified pro from other Go organizations

While iii) would seem to imply that the rest of the rules have to be met in their totality, I can't see it specifically stated. OTOH, I don't know if Canada has some sort of dual citizenship (or swap) agreement with France.

EDIT: HE also seems to have an entry in the USGO database...

Take care.

PS: Really, NAGF should step their communication slightly. Not even USGO's site has a link to this information. And I'm supposing, but I'd find likely that this was discussed in the same meeting that gave us information on AGA board elections. You really have to go check that information in the... third item in the top menu... which disappears the moment you scroll slightly, and presents you a different menu. Considering the "About Us" basically refers you to its founding members, I don't really see why it occupies a preferred spot in the main page. No mention on r/baduk or r/proweiqi that I recall...

[jlt]

The pro qualification regulations for NAGF are here: https://nagofed.org/docs/2022-pro-quali ... cement.pdf
and for EGF: https://www.eurogofed.org/pros/EU-Pro-S ... -04-09.pdf

Rémi Campagnie participates in the 2022 NAGF pro qualification, and was a participant in the 2021 EGF pro qualification, so he probably has double nationality France-Canada.

[vash3g]

PS: Really, NAGF should step their communication slightly. Not even USGO's site has a link to this information. And I'm supposing, but I'd find likely that this was discussed in the same meeting that gave us information on AGA board elections.

Oh honey. You think these people have good communication skills or good go skills? They have one. The other is detritus. I would bet the AGA EJ doesnt post about it until like a week or two before. Just like they announced the info for the cancelled 2021 event at the end of the e-go congress. That info wasnt sent until the closing ceremonies was being prepped.

[Javaness2]

I was looking at the Canadian Go website https://canadiango.org/ Last news item was about the NAGF, but posted over 1 month after the match took place. Kind of a pity, since it was a nicely put together post.

If you have a professional organisation, it does seem really essential to co-ordinate publicity for each event you have. Otherwise you don't really have a business model. You surely need to be reaching the press and the public with an exciting message both before and after each event. I mean I know that's damn hard to do actually, but this qualifier event just appears to have zero publicity judging by my go-news-radar

[Ferran]

Oh honey. You think these people have good communication skills or good go skills?

Hm... "Honey" can mean so many different things. If we were face to face and we could joke about it with facial expressions, it could be fun.

Thing is:

* AGA has sufficient communication skills to talk about local tournaments. Surely they have skills to talk about their professional system.
* NAGoFed lists people like Hajin Lee (fomer PR at the Hanguk Kiwon, IIRC), Michael Redmond (public commentator; besides his work with AGA, his own channell has 800 videos) and Ryan Li (whose dojo has over 300 videos on its channel). Now, I understand each of them has other time sinks, but still...

Dunno. Not my boat, I shouldn't rock it. But... it could sail so much smoother and farther...

My overall feeling is that AGA doesn't quite know what to do with its professional system. The transformation of the EPGL kind of proves that, IMO.

Take care.

[CDavis7M]

I'm surprised that the AGA does as well as it does given that it's run on $30 membership. I doubt the Board or any workers are receiving much pay for their time. In one of the e-journal newsletters it mentioned the Board authorizing some relatively small amount of "deficit." If the Board needs to authorize a deficit for a few thousand dollars than I guess North American Go is doing pretty given its budget.

I'm still waiting for some volunteer to enter my ranking data from 3 weeks ago.

[pwaldron]

My overall feeling is that AGA doesn't quite know what to do with its professional system. The transformation of the EPGL kind of proves that, IMO.

A bigger question is whether the pros know what to do with the pro system. If they want a system that can provide a viable livelihood then the pros themselves will have to step up to the plate. They'll want to increase the size of their potential client base (i.e., the amateur go population) and actively search for sponsorship.

[Ferran]

A bigger question is whether the pros know what to do with the pro system. If they want a system that can provide a viable livelihood then the pros themselves will have to step up to the plate. They'll want to increase the size of their potential client base (i.e., the amateur go population) and actively search for sponsorship.

I agree it's a very important question. I'm not sure it's more important, though. And even if it were, that does not somehow magically evaporate the "responsibility" of the parents of the idea.

Take care.

[Kirby]

It's about incentives. Whoever thinks that the pro system is important should take action.

If an individual wants a world where they can make money as a pro through the AGA, they should take action to make change in the system to achieve that goal. If the AGA finds value in a pro system for go in the United States, then they should take action.

Currently, I suspect nobody cares that much. Lack of incentive means no reason for action. If some entity finds benefit in making a change, then it makes sense to do it.

[vash3g]

Small reminder. The NAGF took over the pro system from the AGA and CGA. The AGA holds no power.

[Ferran]

It's about incentives. Whoever thinks that the pro system is important should take action.

Indeed.

If the AGA finds value in a pro system for go in the United States, then they should take action.

Currently, I suspect nobody cares that much.

Then why exactly did they start it? This is not even throwing the baby with the bath water. It's leaving the bundle in the OR and expecting it to walk away on its own if he's got interest in staying alive. Any enterprise needs a certain nurturing in the beginning before it becomes independent.

Take care