The general assembly of the Rwanda Chess Federation (Ferwade) on Sunday, June 14, elected a new executive committee to help steer the ship over a 12-month interim period.
That came after last week’s general assembly agreed to hold elections using any viable virtual platform due to the limitations of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Elections to bring in a new leadership team could not be held in April, when the four-year term of the outgoing team ended due to the lockout of Covid-19.
The last poll which took place in April 2016.
The entirely new team has president Ben Tom Zimurinda, vice president Valentin Rukimbira, secretary general Elysee Tuyizere and treasurer Eddy Christian Nkuyubwatsi.
The outgoing team was led by Kevin Ganza, deputised by Rugema Ngarambe. The Secretary General and the Treasurer were Niyibizi Alain Patience and Christella Rugabira, respectively.
It was agreed during the meeting prior to Sunday’s poll that an interim leadership team should be formed. The job is to help ailing clubs get their houses in order urgently, among others, before they can call another poll in a year’s time.
Zimurinda ‘s team has the task of designing a roadmap that clearly defines the desired results and the major steps needed to be successful.
“I thank everyone who voted. But I also wish to make it clear that taking on such responsibilities is not about prestige. It’s a struggle,” Zimurinda told the general assembly.
Zimurinda knows he has a big challenge on his side. He’s undeterred however.
A minimum of three member clubs must be fully registered in order for the federation to function as a legal entity. But at the moment only one, Vision Chess Club, meets requirements. For a proper election to be held there must be at least three registered clubs.
Therefore, so much will depend on how the new leadership team manages to rally people with divergent opinion and interest and bring the clubs back to life.
“We will need to come up with an action plan, and that’s urgent. In not more than 30 days we must have a clear roadmap.”
In addition to tackling the issue of inactive clubs, Zimurinda must also take into account essential characteristics of good governance such as openness and accountability in order to be able to steer the ship in the right direction.
