Presidential aspirant with grandmaster objectives – Frankie Farley aims for Chess Federation Presidency

Jun 05, 2016 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin 

Despite the fact that chess cannot claim a top spot as a spectator sport, there has been notable improvement among its affiliates that gives them the right to boast of progressiveness.

Concrete evidence of such progress can be seen in the advancement of several top players the likes of former National Junior and Senior champions Taffin Khan, Anthony Drayton and the current (senior) National Champion, Wendell Meusa, all attaining the coveted Candidate Master title after sustained glorious performances at FIDE rated tournaments.
Female player, Maria Verona Thomas stands alone in the distaff department after achieving a similar honour as her male counterparts in Barbados recently. These players have achieved these accolades under the stewardship of President of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), Irshad Mohammed and the latter individual is satisfied that his tenure, which commenced approximately 2 years ago, has been somewhat fruitful.
The constitution of the GCF allows for a one year term before elections are due but it has been 2 years since Mohammed has taken over the reins from his predecessor, Shiv Nandolall. He has since indicated his desire to hand over the reins to another individual when elections are held within a few months time.
In fact, the Annual General meeting was due on May 15 but was postponed until a date to be announced. Mr. Mohammed indicated that the current executives are currently engaged in the regularisation of the fraternity to facilitate a smooth transition.
As such, his team of executives is currently engaged in an audit process, a necessary prerequisite, which Mr. Mohammed said is being conducted by an auditor out of the Fields, Hughes and Stoby Law Firm in Hadfield Street.
While the current executives are paving the way for a smooth transition, two aspirants, Wendell Meusa and Frankie Farley are mounting campaigns to occupy the helm. Kaieteur Sport engaged Mr. Farley and he seems very enthusiastic and confident that once he is elected he could make notable changes towards the continued development of the sport.
“I’ve been involved in chess for approximately three decades and feel competent to pronounce that the sport has deteriorated dramatically,” declared Mr. Farley. He feels that the migration of most of the key players over the years has had a negative impact on the sport.
He noted the efforts of Mohammed saying that he had done a commendable job in keeping the sport alive. However, the veteran player noted the absence of a broad based effort to develop the sport over the years and blames this on the reluctance of sponsors to input into any developmental programme.
“I have a comprehensive plan that will aspire to change all this,” he assures. He spoke of a chess hall to centralize activities and his intention is to approach Government for assistance. Indeed, the GCF had once enjoyed such a facility in Main Street, South Cummingsburg, but the previous administration has since reclaimed that building for other purposes thus creating a void.
The Presidential aspirant feels that there is a need for a revamping of the infrastructure to facilitate players’ advancement. “We will also pay keen attention to the management structure since a lapse in this department could cause a collapse in every other department, opined Mr. Farley.
However, the constitution does not cater for an en bloc voting process and Farley is of the view that there is a need for some measure of constitutional reform. “I have a few names in mind to comprise the executive and I’ll be approaching the elections with the right people to fill the respective positions,” said Mr. Farley.
He will also document a yearly plan that highlights a proposed itinerary which will encompass broad based inclusion of affiliates within all ten administrative regions. Farley intends to put all the modalities in place to enhance the sport and he spoke of a chess academy, modernization of the sport using digital boards and speeding up the technological process to facilitate online tournaments.
He feels that there is a need to enhance the (monetary) prizes offered to players which could serve as a fillip to improved performances. “But we must firstly do some house cleaning for only then can we seriously approach sponsors for much needed support,” he said.
Amidst all the grandiose objectives and projections, Farley’s overarching objective is to create an incubator to ultimately produce a (local) grandmaster. As such, he will also be incorporating members of the distaff group as well as children in the developmental mix.
“It may sound like a pipe dream but with proper administration it could be achieved,” declared Farley. “I am seeing talent that I could work with,” he assures. Kaieteur Sport will next engage Meusa to garner his projections and plans.

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