Players take the plunge in AICF
Express news service
Posted: Sun Jun 19 2011, 05:02 hrs
New Delhi:
Signalling a historic shift of players turning into sports administration as per the newly-prescribed guidelines of the sports ministry, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) has an unprecedented 50 per cent representation of players in the new set of office-bearers.
Arjuna awardee and Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, International Master Sekhar Chandra Sahu are among the six vice-presidents, along with five other internationally-rated players who were on Satuday declared elected unopposed, though the AGM of the national body is scheduled for June 30.
BCCI secretary N Srinivasan, who resigned after the sports ministry raised objections over his dual role —he was AICF president as well — has been replaced by the ruling AIADMK MLA from Tamil Nadu JCD Prabhkaran. He is a former AICF vice-president and has also been involved with the sport for over two decades. Delhi’s Bharat Singh Chauhan has been elected as secretary-general of the Federation and he replaces incumbent DV Sunder. All the elected members, however, need to be ratified at the AGM in Chennai this month-end. With the new set of people at the helm, the national body is looking to up the ante of the sport, particularly after it went through several court battles in recent years.
According to Chauhan, the newly-elected body would want to raise the profile of the sport in the country. “Our main aim is to bring in more corporates and look for sponsorships. We also want to raise the level of women chess. I think that’s one area we have been lacking,” said Chauhan.
On June 30, the executive board of the AICF will meet in Chennai to chalk out a proper calendar besides bidding to host the world championships.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com
Every country should throw out corrupt chess politicians.