FIDE challenges ZCF

Don Makanyanga

Sports Reporter

THE International Chess Federation (FIDE) director for planning and development, Nigel Short has urged the Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) to come up with a document that promotes good governance and transparency.

Short’s call comes as the process of amending the ZCF constitution has gathered momentum.

Constitutionalism has been cited as the Achilles heel to the growth of chess in Zimbabwe.

Short has been in the country for the past week. He is accompanied by the international federation’s education in chess chairman Jerry Nash, and board member Ancem Solomons as they seek to get a first-hand appreciation of efforts ZCF have been making in the development of the game at grassroots level.

Short urged ZCF to work on a constitution that will promote the growth of the sport while it caters for good governance and transparency.

“One of the things that I am concerned about in general everywhere is governance. If you have poor governance system it doesn’t matter how much you put in.

“There is a question on the ongoing process connected with the constitution of the federation’s statutes. This is still being revised because the existing statutes were inadequate for the task.

“These things don’t sound very stimulating but they are very important. Having a good constitution is essential because you may have a good president today and you may not have a good one tomorrow. That is why you need those safeguards to protect the interest of the chess community,” said Short.

He praised the new local chess administration for steering the amendment of the constitution and noted that the previous one had been flagged by FIDE.

“Having audited accounts gives trust between the administration and players, but this is one thing that has not been the case with Zimbabwe in the past. I believe that the constitution worked on by the new administration will address these issues of transparency and governance.”

Short also challenged the ZCF to come up with more rated tournaments as the move will benefit the local chess players.

“I have been very encouraged by the new administration’s vision of taking chess forward, but I was a bit concerned about the lack of rated tournaments in the country.

“Rating stimulates players.

“Zimbabwe should be among the best chess playing countries in Africa and it does well in tournaments, but  performs badly when it comes to rated ones. There is need to have more rated tournaments,” said Short.

ZCF president, Mucha Mkanganwi described the trio’s visit as eye-opening as it has benefited the local chess body.

“This has been an eye opening visit by the FIDE delegation.

“I agree with Short that there is need for us to have more rated tournaments,” said Mkanganwi.

“I resigned from my post as vice-president and the core issue was the constitution. I felt that it allowed people to abuse it for their own gains.

“After I came back as the acting president, my main objective was to amend the constitution so that it puts the interests of the sport ahead. It has been work in progress and in three months’ time we will be having a new constitution.

“We are happy that Short has highlighted what is expected by FIDE. We are going to use the recommendations he has made to ensure that we have a constitution that promotes good governance and transparency.”