Today we celebrate a most illustrious event! A toast would be in order for local chess players. Today is election day for the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) commencing from 10:00 hrs at Olympic House, Kingston.
Three scenarios that could play out at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) come immediately to mind: a new executive body could be elected, the old body could be retained, or there could be an infusion, or deep implanting of the old body alongside the spanking untested newcomers. However, these outcomes may not be the only possibilities because the diverse creations of the human mind are inexhaustible. Stories are circulating,
without any clear evidence that they are accurate, of what the final outcome would be. A few of the
scenarios are ridiculously hilarious, some are funny, and the miniscule others are likely intelligent conceptions. One such story speaks of disallowing the media from entering Olympic House during the AGM. The column intends to test this outrageous story. It is incomprehensible to believe Guyana would actually agree to be the laughing stock of thousands, owing to chess, and because we erred on the side of foolhardiness. Chess is an intelligent game, and is surrounded by intelligent people.
There is a common propensity for persons to seek offices in sport organizations because they can, because they are favoured, because a title would complement their CVs, because they intend to relax and enjoy the benefits of their newly realized endeavours, in addition to other reasons, some remarkably good, while others are utterly despicable. Altogether, persons would be untrue to themselves and to their promises if they do not perform in the offices to which they were elected.
Chess needs persons who are willing to work for the upliftment of the game. Following the election, the public wants to be refreshed by a corrective insight into the game. The offices would not agree with the ones who would prefer to keep chess the way it is. We have to expand the game. We have duties to others and duties to ourselves. And we should shirk neither.
We have to demonstrate, not only with our words, but in our actions, that we are earnestly desirous of promoting the game of chess to the height of Mount Everest. Esteemed offices invariably carry responsibilities. With chess, Guyana is in an experimental stage. There is no good reason why we should fear the expansion of chess, but there is good enough reason why we should take the experimentation seriously.
To those persons who have been promised important positions should they vote for X or Y, be careful. If you cannot function in the position to which you were designated, please honourably decline. People would understand. The underlying idea is to guarantee the popularity of chess.
As of Wednesday, March 22, the deadline for paid registration to enable voting in today’s election, less than 20 persons had registered, according to information received. This could not be confirmed.
