The Chess fraternity is set to vote for new office bearers on Sunday to steer the struggling Rwanda Chess Federation (FERWADE) .

 Expectations are high as chess players desire to see an incoming team which includes President, Vice President, Secretary General and Treasurer, comprising highly dedicated, self-sacrificing and trustworthy people.

One senior Vision Chess Club (VCC) player, Rugema Ngarambe, told Times Sport that he values charisma, transparency, leading by example, foresight and teamwork as qualities new office bearers should have if the federation is to make real progress. 

He added: "We need a leader who can command respect through deeds. I am saying this with due respect to our membership and extant reality. All organizations are, largely, the same. They need competent leadership.”

Sunday’s election will also see new faces elected in the other crucial federation offices.  Two advisors, a technical director, as well as three technical committee members and conflict resolution committee members, respectively, will also be chosen.

Much to the disappointment of many chess players, for the past four years, most office bearers especially in the last positions were inactive.  

With key officials inactive Kevin Ganza, Alain Patience Niyibizi and Christella Rugabira, the Vice President, Secretary General and Treasurer, were overloaded, a situation that also partly explains why the game is poorly developed in the country.

Among others, the federation is yet to be registered at the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) as is required.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw