Chess Kenya appoints team to spearhead reforms
Sanjana Deshpande, the Kenyan chess champion, during an interview at Nation Centre in Nairobi on February 5, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- The team will be led by lawyer Lwanga Karoli
- Other issues the team will seek views on are on how to attract membership for the federation
Chess Kenya on Wednesday appointed a nine-man team mandated with ensuring the body’s constitution is aligned to the 2013 Sports Act.
The team, led by lawyer Lwanga Karoli, will collect views and proposals on contentious issues affecting the sport from stakeholders and report its findings next month at a Special General Meeting (SGM) whose date will be announced later.
Last week, the government cracked the whip on errant sports federations yet to comply with the Act with Chess Kenya among the bodies asked to re-register afresh or risk being barred from participating in any national, regional and international competitions.
Mr Karoli expressed confidence that his team will put in place a constitution that will ensure the body is aligned with the Act to prevent it from missing out on state funding.
“We want our game to be recognised by the government and we will therefore work round the clock to make this a reality. Chess is important as any other sport and we want it to be run professionally and be accountable to the players,” Karoli said.
FOREIGNERS IN THE SPORT
The committee is also expected to handle the issue of foreigners taking part in national events or representing the national team at international tournaments.
Last month, Chess Kenya was on the spot after it stripped Sanjana Deshpande of her women’s national title after it emerged she is not a Kenyan citizen.
Karoli noted that the SGM will ultimately make a decision on the issues of foreigners taking part in the sport.
He further added that they will be guided by the government’s position over the same in their final report.
“It has been an issue that has generated debate over the past month and we want to seek views from members and be able to put forth an acceptable position that will ensure the sport benefits,” he added.
OTHER MEMBERS
Other issues the team will seek views on are on how to attract membership for the federation without competing with clubs and branches and bottle necks hindering the body from effectively carrying out its mandate.
Other members in the team include Terence Chazima (Secretary), Victor Ngani, Mike Kinuthia, Benard Wanjala, Collins Omondi Young, Moses Andiwoh, Tony Mutua and Githui George.
