The Guyana Chess Federation has turned over a new leaf with a ‘clean slate’ taking over the administration as former Vice-President, Frankie Farley has replaced James Bond as the body’s President.
The Federation hosted an Annual General Meeting for the first time since 2017 at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue yesterday with Farley defeating Bond by a 13-8 margin.
Professor Gomathinayagam Subramanian defeated Irshaad Mohammed by a similar margin for the Vice-President role while Aneesa Hussain secured the secretary seat with one vote more than Loris Nathoo who was elected fundraiser director with 15 votes as Yolander Persaud garnered six. Davion Mars and Anthony Drayton returned unopposed as Treasurer and Chess Trainer respectively.
Steve Leung, Maria Varona Thomas, Nalisha Johnson, Krishnanand Raghunandan and David Khan will serve as Committee Members with Rashad Hussain serving as Tournament Director.
The media again was barred from entering the room for the voting process which was limited to only 23 persons and one other who was deemed ineligible to vote being under 18 years of age.
Farley, speaking to the media after it was allowed in when everyone was leaving, admitted that the process was carried out with the old constitution still in effect and the new one yet to be ratified. He said that the next elections will be transparent with the media present.
Interestingly, the current constitution does not bar anyone below the age of 18 from voting and Mars explained that a committee that was installed to run the elections, inclusive of himself, Farley and Nathoo had recommended a few criteria to be eligible to vote including playing a tournament within five years or being an administrator.
Farley went on to state that Chess has a long way to go with the aim of expanding the board game to all administrative regions and while he “does not want to dwell on the negatives,” the body can exceed its potential.
Mars also noted that with the FIDE assistance, the Federation is in a better financial position than when the body adopted office.
