Mpilo Mizere for chess presidency
Veteran chess player, Mpilo Mizere is eyeing for the top position of Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) president as the body goes for
elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) this Sartuday at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
According to nomination list Chessam outgoing secretary Leonard Sharra shared, Mizere will face Francis Kankhwala for the top position.
The incumbent president Susen Namangale is not seeking for another term of office during the association’s elective AGM following her
attainment of the first woman president of the International Chess Federation (Fide) Zone 4.5 in August in the election held in Chennai, India.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mizere disclosed that upon being elected as Chessam president he will make Malawi a chess playing nation.
“My mission is to ensure that all demographic groups in Malawi and all Fide recognized categories are actively engaged in all chess
tournaments in all districts affiliated to existing regional bodies. My plan is to build on the foundations of the past to secure the future. Projects such as Chess in Schools will be maintained and improved,” he said.
Mizere added that many countries in Sadc region such as Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa have produced International Masters and
Grand Masters and that is not the case with Malawi.
“It is time for Malawi to produce its first International Master and Grand Master. My administration will identify a maximum of four people at a time (two males and two females) and enroll them in the Grand Master project. We will provide them with the required financial assistance to be attending international tournaments and facilitate training and coaching for them to become the country’s first Grand Master and International Master within the next four years,” he said.
His competitor, Kankhwala said his manifesto centres on bringing more sponsors to the sport.
“We need the corporate world into the sport. Once elected as Chessam president, that will be my main agenda,” he said.
Nomination of candidates closes on October 1,2022. Other names appearing on the nomination lists include Moses Mtumbuka and Francis Kudzula on the vice president position. Alfred Chimthere will face Gift Howahowa Selemani on the general secretary position. The treasurer general position has Jonathan Ibrahim and Khama Chindole. The position of publicity secretary has Franscico Mwangupili and Wadza Otomani.
According to rules governing Chessam, those person contesting for any position at the AGM must have a minimum academic qualification of a Malawi School Certificate of Education; be an active member of a League or Zone or must hold a position either in Chessam or a League; and have fully paid his annual membership fees.
