New Executive Board Elected for African Chess Confederation

The African Chess Confederation has elected a new executive board, with Benard Wanjala from Kenya winning the presidency in a close vote.

<p>On Monday, the African Chess Confederation held its 10th Electoral Congress at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, coinciding with the Zone 4.4 Championships. In a tightly contested election, Benard Wanjala from Kenya was elected as the new president, defeating the incumbent Tshepiso Lopang from Botswana by a narrow margin of 25 to 24 votes.</p><p>The newly elected board includes Mohamed Abdulla Mohamed from Somalia as Deputy President, Barthelemy Bongo Akanga Ndjila from Gabon as Vice President for Administration, and Andre Lewaks from South Africa as Vice President for Technical matters, among others. The election has sparked controversy, as Lopang has accused Wanjala of vote-buying and has filed a complaint regarding the election results.</p><p>The African Chess Confederation, which now comprises 49 member countries, has been instrumental in promoting chess across the continent since its founding in 1976. The organization has established various championships and initiatives to enhance the sport's development in Africa.</p>