By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
INTERNATIONAL arbiter Chanda Nsakanya has announced his candidature for the position of secretary at the forthcoming Chess Federation of Zambia (CFZ) elective annual general meeting (AGM).
Nsakanya, a former CFZ secretary and tournaments director, said his decision to contest the elections next month is aimed at appealing to young players as well as sponsors.
He said chess was a game that could grow bigger by attracting more players to the game and spreading to all corners of the country.
“Fellow chess administrators in the CFZ, Zones and all clubs, players and friends, please be informed that I am declaring my interest in vying for the position of CFZ national secretary in the forthcoming elective AGM.
“I will fight for building of stronger zones and also provide them with administrative and technical support to increase the level of players and officials once elected as into office,” Nsakanya said.
He said there is need to increase of the number of zones in the country and promised to raise the number to 11 besides setting up a deliberate strategy to boost the number of women playing chess.
Nsakanya said it was also important that Zambia increases its stranglehold of dominance in the southern Africa Region (Zone 4.3) and that this will be attained by securing partnerships for players to take part in international events.
“There is also need to make sure that more players get to play in these international tournaments and not just those in the top bracket of the Zambian game. I also want to make chess appealing to sponsors and partners, engaging new technology and design ad well as bringing back the Inter-zone
clubs Chess championships, he said.
The position of secretary is currently being held by Ntemena Bwalya, who has opted to seek the position of vice-president where he will fight it out against Linus Katebe and Moses Kalapizya.
Eriko Nshikokola is the only one who has announced his candidature for presidency so far with Aaron Banda re-contesting the position of tournaments director while Constance Mbatha is eyeing committee member position.
Closing date for submitting of nomination is May 30.