By: Thomas Kojo Roulhac
Monrovia- In a critical meeting held on Saturday, November 9, members of the Liberia Chess Federation (LCF) and officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports initiated efforts to address the ongoing crisis within the federation. Several key resolutions and proposals were put forward to ensure stability and progress.
The meeting took place at the federation headquarters in Sinkor and saw the attendance of notable figures such as Samuel D. Tweah, former Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Henry Yonton, Deputy Sports Minister for Administration, and Andy Quamie, Deputy Minister of Sports, among others.
During the day-long roundtable engagement, numerous calls were made for Mr. Thomas Karyah to rescind his decision to resign as President of the LCF. It can be recalled that Mr. Karyah recently submitted his resignation letter following accusations of alleged mismanagement and placing the federation into significant debt.
However, at the weekend meeting, 80 percent of the members, including the former federation president Samuel D. Tweah, emphasized the importance of Karyah’s leadership in navigating the current crisis. They urged him to remain in his position until the issues were resolved or until the end of his tenure.
Tweah highlighted the need for a cohesive and respectful working environment to effectively address the challenges facing the LCF. “This is the time you all move away from derogatory remarks and instead focus on constructive criticism,” he advised the body.
The former Finance Minister, who is also a founding member of the federation, proposed the establishment of an LCF Board. According to him, the primary role of this board would be to periodically advise the LCF leadership on key issues.
In a bid to further address the ongoing issues, the Ministry of Youth and Sports set up a reconciliatory and way forward meeting scheduled to take place within the next 11 to 14 days. The goal of the expected meeting, which will be attended by facilitators and the chess leadership, is to foster a more collaborative and solution-oriented approach to resolving the federation’s challenges.
Meanwhile, following the conclusion of the meeting, Thomas Karyah did not disclose whether he would rescind his resignation decision as urged by the members. The federation awaits his decision, hoping for a resolution that will pave the way for a more stable and united future.
