Bharat Singh Chauhan re-elected as chairman of Commonwealth Chess Association
New Delhi, May 18
Bharat Singh Chauhan will continue to lead the Commonwealth Chess Association after being unanimously re-elected as Chairman for the 2026-2030 term during the Association's Annual General Body Meeting in Wasakaduwa, Sri Lanka.
The meeting, held at the Citrus Hotel on Sunday, also confirmed the reappointment of several key office-bearers and executive members from across the Commonwealth, while introducing a major new initiative to expand youth participation in chess.
Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidsh Sanusi was elected unopposed as Deputy Chairman, while G. Luxman Wijesuriya retained his position as General Secretary. Vicky Magu was chosen as Treasurer.
The newly elected executive panel also includes Hurrynarain Bhowany from Mauritius, Allan Herbert from Barbados, Benard Wanjala from Kenya, Craig Hall from New Zealand, and Crition Tornaritis from Cyprus.
The election proceedings were overseen by retired High Court judge Santiago Pushpa Kumara Ekaratne, who served as the Returning Officer.
Chauhan's reappointment further extends a leadership journey spanning nearly five decades in the chess world, during which he has played a significant role in promoting and developing the game across Commonwealth countries.
In an official statement following the elections, the Association acknowledged his continued influence on the sport's expansion.
"Chauhan's re-election reflects the confidence and trust reposed in his visionary leadership and longstanding dedication towards strengthening and promoting chess across the Commonwealth nations," the Commonwealth Chess Association said in a statement.
The AGM also produced a major announcement for grassroots chess development, with the CCA confirming the launch of the Commonwealth School Chess Championship. The inaugural edition of the tournament is scheduled to be held in Malaysia in October 2026.
Meanwhile, Wijesuriya's return as General Secretary was seen as recognition of his administrative role in the organisation's operations and long-term planning.
Luxman Wijesuriya's re-election as General Secretary was also seen as a testament to his exceptional administrative skills and valuable contribution towards the smooth functioning and continued progress of the Commonwealth Chess Association.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Unanimous re-election - that speaks volumes about his leadership. But I hope the focus isn't just on top-level tournaments; grassroots development in smaller Indian towns needs more push. Chess academies in tier-2 cities still lack basic infrastructure.
Nearly five decades in chess administration - that's incredible dedication! The school championship initiative is exactly what we need to produce more GMs like Pragg and Gukesh. Well done, CCA! 🇮🇳♟️
Good to see Indian leadership in international chess bodies. But I wonder how much visibility Commonwealth Chess gets compared to FIDE events. Hope Chauhan sir pushes for more prize money and sponsorship for these tournaments.
Unanimous re-election means everyone trusts his vision. But I'm more excited about the School Chess Championship - imagine Indian school kids competing with players from UK, Canada, Australia! This will create healthy competition and exposure. 🤩
Congratulations to Bharat Singh Chauhan ji! But we need more transparency in such elections - even if unanimous, the process should be documented publicly. Also, would like to see more representation from African Commonwealth nations in the executive panel.
A Ananya R Five decades We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.