Attorney-at-law Yolander Persaud has been elected by the 89th FIDE Congress to sit on the FIDE Ethics Commission effectively resulting in her becoming the first person from Guyana to hold a position on any FIDE committee.
Persaud, who was initially selected as a member of the female team to play in Batumi, Georgia at the 43rd Chess Olympiad, later opted out of the team after receiving a Chevening Scholarship award.
“The allure of the Olympiad was too hard to resist, however I decided to attend Congress and General Assembly for one week instead, as the Councilor to our Delegate,” she told Stabroek Sport.
The FIDE Arbiter, Developmental Instruction Director and Secretary of the American Chamber of Commerce Guyana added that she “observed the Ethics Commission, Development Commission and Online Commission,” during her time there and attended the first day of General Assembly where the 185 member federations elected new President for FIDE, Arkady Dvorkovich.
Persaud stated that “the work of the Ethics Commission was most appealing to me as an Attorney-at-Law since it was of a highly legal nature.”
The Ethics Commission of FIDE essentially hears complaints from member federations on procedural and ethical issues and makes decisions upon the matters brought before it.
There are two commissions which must be elected by the General Assembly, namely the Ethics and Constitutional, both consisting of five-member teams.
The Chairman of the Ethics Commission that will occupy the post from now until 2022 is Francois Strydom, a well know South African lawyer; and its members consist of Ruth Harring from the USA, Rajesh Joshi from Nepal, a delegate from India and Persaud.
Persaud, who was admitted to the Guyana Bar four years ago said it was an extreme honour to be elected since there were over 15 nominations to the post.
“This is an incredible achievement for Guyana! We have never been appointed to any of FIDE’s commissions in the past, much less one of the most vital ones. I am still in a bit of shock, but really I am elated to put my country and federation on the map, and to act in a position which blends my passion for chess and law,” Persaud stated.
The Vice-President of the Guyana Chess Federation added “I am hopeful that my appointment encourages more females to take a more active role in Chess and sports in general, not only to play and participate, but to actively pursue leadership roles. That is the only way we can achieve equality and balance.”
