North Malawi Chess League usher new members into office

The Northern Malawi Chess League has new office bearers following elections that were held at their Annual General Meeting on Saturday morning at Ilala Crest Lodge in the city of Mzuzu.

Present at the event were Regional Sports Development Officer for the north, Mrs Georgina Msowoya from the National Sports Council, President of the Chess Association of Malawi (CHESSAM), Kezzie Msukwa, and CHESSAM Executive Member, Gift Kadaluka, who was the Presiding Officer during the elections.

Reports were given by the former Chairperson of the league, Isaac Mumba, and the former General Secretary, Kelusi Mhango. The former Treasurer, Martin Mambulasa, was not available to present the financial report.

After deliberations on the reports by the former chair and General Secretary, it was now time for elections.

Former Chairperson Isaac Mumba was being challenged by Stanley Mtuwa. Out of the 47 voters, Mumba got 17 votes; one voter abstained while Stanley Mtuwa comfortably won the seat of Chairperson with 29 votes.

Kelusi Mhango who was the General Secretary in the former committee stood unopposed on the position of Vice Chairperson.

Robert Ngwira became the General Secretary, also unopposed.

Former Treasurer Martin Mambulasa was being challenged by Boniface Mwakikunga. 6 voters abstained, 19 voted for Mambulasa while 22 allowed Boniface Mwakikunga to become the new Treasure for the Northern Malawi Chess League.

Thom Phiri and Geoffrey Gera became Publicity Secretary and Regional Schools Coordinator, respectively, both of them unopposed.

Executive Members who expressed interest and had no challengers were Stapples Jere, Kondwani Phimba, Ulemu Mbewe, Overton Kanyinji and Wakisa Mweneghama.

In his acceptance speech, the new Chairperson, Stanley Mtuwa, promised to bring a difference in the running of the league especially regarding transparency and accountability.

“I will make sure that we have a tournament in every quarter of the year. Gone are the days when players will be called for a tournament without knowing the cash prizes. I will also strive to strengthen our relationship with the media so that our activities are well monitored nationwide.

Let me ask all members here to be very free to come forward with ideas to this new leadership so that we can improve our game of chess. Where you see that things are going wrong, do not hesitate to constructively point out and offer solutions where possible. We will continue to work with those that were in the old committee because we are still one family,” concluded Mtuwa.

And speaking to Nyasa Times after the elections, President for the Chess Association of Malawi (CHESSAM) Kezzie Msukwa congratulated Stanley Mtuwa for assuming the office of Chairperson for the Northern Region Chess League. He assured the new committee of maximum support from CHESSAM.

“I believe the elections have been free and fair. I have trust in the people that have been ushered into office because I have been following them all along. Our major challenge is inadequate funding from the Sport Council, which calls for innovations by regional office bearers to generate resources and additional funds from the corporate world. And I know Stanley Mtuwa will be able to do that,” added Msukwa who is also President for the Zone 4.3 which is a grouping of chess associations from 14 countries in Southern Africa.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!