Wilkinson will not seek Chess Federation re-election

Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF) President Ian Wilkinson,said his decision not to seek re-election at the next annual general meeting, set for June 2019, was not influenced by his ambitions to become an administrative member of the World Chess Federation (FIDE).

The JCF president of 16 years also wanted to make it clear that he has not resigned but will not seek re-election as he believes the organisation needs new leadership to give it new direction and impetus.

According to some reports, Wilkinson, has offered himself for a vice-presidential position for the World Chess Federation (FIDE), and he declared that he was eyeing a post with the Confederation of Chess for the Americas (CCA) as well as FIDE. But although he did not wish to go into much details, he swore that his decision not to contest the next elections was not based on his CCA or FIDE ambitions.

"I decided to step down whether or not I become a part of the CCA or the World Chess Federation administrative structure. I believe it's time somebody else be president to allow the federation to refresh itself.

"I have all intentions to continue working on the (local) chess council, but I am looking to do more regionally with the regional governing body, the Confederation of Chess for the Americas, and I have ambitions for an administrative role with the world governing body, the International Chess Federation," he told The Gleaner.

"I intend to see out my term as president but will not be seeking re-election. I would like the Jamaica Chess Federation to grow and flourish, and there are persons who can serve, and it's time they develop, and, if necessary, give new direction to the federation so it can progress," he stated.

The former Kingston College Manning Cup player made it clear that he has not resigned but just believes that his time has come.

"I have not resigned, and I do not intend to resign as president of the Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF). I indicated that at the next annual general meeting (AGM), I will not be seeking re-election as president. June 2019 will make it 16 years since I have been president. I have offered to resign four times before, but I have continued to finish work that needed to be done. But I think it is time for a transition, and someone has to step up, so the Jamaica Chess Federation can renew itself, be reinvigorated and move on to higher levels," he said.

"I am not the president-for-life type of person. I have been president much longer than I have wanted, but the sport and federation needed me to remain. But I think it is time to step down, and I would have stepped down whether or not I would be getting a position on any of the other (international) bodies," he added.