Government orders cancellation of AICF GBM

In a dramatic development, the Sports Ministry suggested cancellation of All India Chess Federation’s Urgent Meeting of the General Body scheduled in Chennai on Saturday. It also asserted that non-compliance of the directive would invite “suspension/der-recognition of the federation.” The meeting was called by AICF president P. R. Venketrama Raja through a letter dated December 7. READ| AICF president and secretary call separate general body meetings On Friday, the Ministry’s letter addressed to AICF president and signed by Deputy Secretary S. P. S. Tomar, stated: “It has been observed that a meeting has been called by the President on 14.12.2019 and that by the Hon. READ| All India Chess Federation confrontation comes to a boil Prior warning The letter ends with a warning, “In case, the directions of the Ministry are not complied with and there is an attempt to suppress the complaints regarding financial irregularities, the Government will take a serious view in the matter, warranting action for suspension/de-recognition of the federation by the Ministry.” When contacted by Sportstar, Chauhan explained, “In my representation, I had submitted copies my letters to the AICF President where I had repeatedly highlighted the wrongdoings of a couple of AICF office-bearers. Even when I blew the whistle on an act of forgery – a matter that the Sports Authority of India took cognizance of – and the financial irregularities in the 2018 National sub-junior chess championship in Kalyani, near Kolkata, the president and his coterie chose to ignore them.” About the now uncertain Saturday’s meeting, Chauhan revealed, “20 out of 32 affiliates of AICF, besides six out of 12 office bearers had sent postal votes on the matters in the agenda.” Interestingly, 12 Grandmasters, nine International Masters and three Woman Grandmasters wrote to the Secretary, Sports Ministry, with a request to “intervene and put to rest the prevailing infighting and confusion preventing any ensuing litigation.”