Committee members in chess associations give of their time voluntarily.
Have you had enough of the general election? I know I have. I’m satiated with the unending news and analysis about what went right or wrong for the political parties. I’ve had enough of the vicious campaigning that went on day after day, and even at night, for the past month.
By comparison – and fortunately – election time for most sports bodies in the country seldom reaches this fever pitch.
Elections in local chess associations are by nature tame affairs. At their best (or worst), you’ll find several contenders vying for the same post but once someone wins the post, relations return to normal very quickly. There’s none of the vicious backbiting between contenders.
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Powers of concentration: Participants in the under-8 girls’ section. |
You know why? Because there is no ultimate prize called Malaysia to win. When people offer themselves to be elected committee members of their chess associations, they know that there is never any financial gain.
Instead, they’ll be offering their time and services. Sometimes, elected members can even find themselves footing bills that, if they are lucky, will be reimbursed months later. But chess officials generally don’t mind or complain much because it’s all for the love of the game.
I know of very few tension-filled general meetings. Yes, there may still be some disagreement among members but, by and large, what trivial matters cannot be resolved easily? Bruised egos? There shouldn’t be any. Chess is not big enough for egos to grow.
It’s so typical that most members will fight shy of being proposed into the chess committee. Names may be proposed but nominees will often offer reasons to excuse themselves. After much cajoling, they might agree reluctantly for their names to appear on the nomination list.
Is it due to the fear of the voluntary work they would be required to do if they were elected? It shouldn’t be the case if they love the game they play. I’ve always believed that every senior chess player should contribute to the association, even if it’s just for a single term. You owe it to the system that enabled you to enjoy the game of chess.
On the other hand, there are also the much rarer occasions when members want to hold on to their elected positions at all cost. They look at challengers to their positions with mistrust. These are the little Napoleans who guard their turf jealously.
In my opinion, that’s the wrong attitude. Office-bearers in associations must learn to let go graciously. There’s the popular saying, if you love something, let it go. Similarly, if there are sincere people who are willing to take over the running of an association, it should be welcomed. It’s people like them who will grow the game.
It must have been at least 10 years since I voluntarily left my posts in my local chess association. New blood came in and I’m so glad to see that the association has reached greater heights in terms of membership and activities. I don’t think I could have contributed more than I had if I had remained in the committee.
National age group
This year’s Masterskill-OCM national age group chess championship ended two days ago at the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s indoor sports arena in Kuala Lumpur. I’ll bring you the results next week.
Some 336 children from all over the country played in the event. According to the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) secretary Hamid Majid, more entries were expected but a substantial number of players from other states pulled out of the event at the last minute.
“Nevertheless, it was still a successful event. The championship was divided into 10 separate age categories and in every section, we saw great fighting spirit among all the contestants,” he said.
Today, the top four players from each age category are facing off at the Wilayah Complex in Kuala Lumpur. They are taking part in a selection tournament the results of which will be used to determine the qualifiers for the world-, Asian- and Asean-level age group tournaments.
Coming soon
There are two tournaments that players can look forward to this weekend.
In Kuala Lumpur, Universiti Malaya’s Ninth Residential College will organise a one-day, six-round open team tournament for the Tun Syed Zahiruddin Cup on Sunday. The three top prizes includes a RM1,000 first prize for the winning team. Entry fees are RM80 per team and limited to the first 50 teams that register. Get more details from Rheitta (013-200 6847) or Elvenna (019-807 7401).
In Penang, the PFS open tournament will also be played on Sunday. The venue will be the Penang Free School. For enquiries, contact Thong Yung Chen (016-469 2150) or Lee Hsien Yang (016-463 6434).
The Star
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