Attorney-at-Law, James Bond, assumes Presidency of Guyana Chess Federation

Mar 27, 2017 Sports

Commits to an aggressive plan to strengthen the respective bases

Months of careful planning, while getting their financial business in order, culminated when affiliates of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) elevated Attorney-at-Law, James Bond, to the helm when that organization staged its Annual General Meeting at Olympics House, Kingston, yesterday morning.
Bond cantered to victory against lukewarm opposition from top seed, Rashad Hussain, but the newly elected President offered the proverbial olive branch to his opponent and upon conclusion of the voting process, co-opted him into the executive structure. Krishnand Ragunundan also benefited from the grace of the newly elected President and was similarly appointed as Hussain.

Mr. Bond (center sitting) is flanked by Vice President of Development Frankie Farley (left) and Committee member, Maria Verona Thomas. Other executive members are standing behind the trio.

CEO of Silicon Green and Shukuru resort, Frankie Farley, had earlier nurtured ambitions of contesting for the top spot but in the end he did not and eventually clinched the position of Vice President of Development. Legal Advisor, Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of Massy Group of Companies, Yolander Persaud, is the Vice President (Finance and Sponsorship), while immediate Past President, Irshad Mohamed, will assume the office of Vice President of Competitions. The new Secretary is the Confidential Secretary of Attorneys-at-Law, Mark Waldron and Ronald Birch Smith, Natasha Singh, while the Treasurer is Verification Officer of the Bank of Guyana, Davion Mars. There are three Committee Members in Anthony Drayton, Maria Varona Thomas and Ryan Singh, while Senior National Champion, Wendell Meusa has retained the position of National Coach.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bond is indeed ecstatic and has extended gratitude to those affiliates that demonstrated such faith in him as to elevate him to the prestigious position. He told Kaieteur Sport that he will soon convene with his executives to plan the way forward for the sport. Mr. Bond hinted that top of his agenda is the strengthening of the structure to revitalize the sport. He said that his initial focus will be targeted at development within all ten of the administrative regions as well as the hinterland communities. He also said that he intends to place heavy emphasis in the schools and among the differently able clan. “My executive will roll out an aggressive plan to strengthen the respective bases towards chess development,” assured Mr. Bond.
Quizzed on a focus among the Caricom community, Mr. Bond said that his predecessor has already laid such a foundation and he intends to follow through. However, Mr. Bond sees a need to venture further afield and as such he is eying participation among top players in Europe, in such countries as Russia and Norway, which had produced quite a few grandmasters.
Already, he has labeled some of his projections including a national resuscitation of the sport, an annual National Schools’ Competition and a National Chess Scholastic Centre among other initiatives. He will also endeavor to undertake the onerous task of reforming the constitution of the Federation. The newly elected officials will soon convene for their inaugural meeting.