Tranquility post-storm at AICF as fresh office-bearers assume roles

A new set of office-bearers has been elected unanimously at the All India Chess Federation (AICF) till 2027, with Nitin Narang, Dev A. Patel, and Dharmendra Kumar taking the top posts. The election process was conducted smoothly, despite allegations of discrepancies and missing documents.

The election results were announced by retired Justices G.S. Sistani and Rang Nath Pandey at the AICF General Body meeting in Delhi. Among the new office-bearers, there is no representation from Tamil Nadu for the second time in a row, which has raised some concerns within the Indian chess community.

Former Interim Secretary Ajeet Kumar Verma revealed plans for a forensic audit of the AICF’s accounts, citing missing papers and inventories from the office as the reason behind the decision. The audit aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the financial dealings of the Federation.

Allegations of financial discrepancies related to the funds from the Chess Olympiad in Chennai in 2022 have also surfaced, with former Treasurer Naresh Sharma highlighting the budget allocation and expenditure process. The issue has led to the formation of a committee to investigate and address the concerns raised.

Despite the smooth election process, questions remain about the transparency and integrity of the AICF’s financial management. The new office-bearers will need to address these concerns and ensure accountability to regain the trust of the Indian chess community.