Uncertainty Looms Over AICF Elections Amid Compliance Concerns

Chennai: The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is facing a cloud of uncertainty regarding its upcoming office-bearers’ elections due to alleged non-compliance with the National Sports Development Code, exacerbated by recent court directions.

On February 14, the Delhi High Court directed the Government of India to clarify whether the AICF is adhering to the directives outlined in the judgment dated 16.08.2022, read with the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. The court’s scrutiny was triggered by a case filed by the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Satranj Sangh, which initially prompted the chess body to prepare for elections.

However, a fresh case filed by the Devbhoomi Chess Association against the AICF has raised concerns and cast doubt on the feasibility of conducting the polls. Sanjay K Chadha, President of the Devbhoomi Chess Association, explained the reasons behind filing the case, citing non-receipt of the election schedule and the removal of his and the association secretary’s names from the AICF website, despite retaining the state body’s name.

Chadha expressed his apprehension that they might be illegally removed from the voter list, prompting the association to file the case and seek compliance with the Delhi High Court’s order dated 16.08.2022.

In response, the AICF claimed that Chadha and the secretary continue to be members, but the case has brought to light potential irregularities in the electoral process. The Delhi High Court’s order had laid down norms, including the requirement that 25% of office-bearers should be national players, setting a maximum age of 70 years for officials, and limiting consecutive terms to two.

The court also emphasized that the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, is applicable to state and district bodies, a condition that, according to Chadha, the AICF and the majority of its state affiliates do not meet.

The recent stay on elections for the Volleyball Federation of India by the Delhi High Court, based on non-compliance grounds, adds further weight to the concerns raised by Chadha. The court has stayed the elections, stressing the need for compliance with the court’s previous order dated 16.08.2022.

As the chess community awaits further developments, the AICF faces the challenge of ensuring compliance with established norms and court directives, raising questions about the future of the upcoming elections and the federation’s governance structure.