Former NCF exco rescued and revitalised Namibian chess

Outgoing Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) president Goodwill Khoa, who led the executive committee (exco) alongside vice-president Emanuel Sihlahla, stepped away from its leadership role in January this year, ending their tenure halfway through its four-year term.

Elected in January 2023, the exco’s tenure was initially a rescue mission. As the exco stepped away, it leaves behind a federation that had not only been saved from demise, but elevated to one of the most organised and successful sporting bodies in the country.

An interim leadership has since been elected, comprising Berdian Beukes as acting president and Max Nitzborn as acting vice-president. They will serve until permanent leadership is elected at the annual general meeting next month.



Early days of office

Reflecting on the state of the federation when he assumed office, Khoa recalled an organisation on the brink of dissolution.

“We had to take over a partially empty office. We faced pressure from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC). Most of the equipment was unaccounted for, the bank balances were near zero, and there was a mountain of debt,” he told Sport Wrap.

Despite the improper administrative handover, the exco chose not to dwell on the shortcomings of their predecessors, but instead focused on restoring and rebuilding the federation.

Khoa and his team dedicated the first year to re-establishing relationships with key stakeholders, including FIDE, the African Chess Confederation (ACC) and the NSC.

“There was one trip I had to make to Azerbaijan to meet with FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich to present our strategic plan. We wanted to be seen as equal partners, not as beggars,” he said.

The exco ultimately stabilised the federation, eliminating debt, improving financial management, and securing sponsorships. With the support of Bank Windhoek and RMB Namibia, the federation received significant funding, including a record N$1.1 million sponsorship from Bank Windhoek.

The financial backing allowed the NCF to procure additional equipment, implement an accounting system, and ensure a smooth transition for future leadership.

“[Sihlahla and I] had a dream and a vision of what the chess federation could look like, and even though we disagreed on some points, we agreed on the vision. Wanting the NCF to be the best sporting body in the country was a vision stronger than anything else, and that was our driving force,” he noted.

Khoa says stepping away was a personal decision influenced by various factors, including the need to prioritise his family and professional career.

“I have really sacrificed a lot, and I feel I have done enough to now focus on my two children, wife and job. We came in as a rescue team, and once the federation was stable, it was time to hand over,” he said.



Historic achievements

The exco’s efforts did not go unnoticed, earning numerous awards from the international community. Some of the awards include certificates of appreciation and recognition from the African Guinness World Record tournament, the Egyptian Chess Federation and the Namibia Sports Commission.

One of its ambitious plans was to integrate chess into the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games in July as a developmental initiative backed by SADC chess federations and international sponsors. However, despite their efforts, bureaucratic hurdles prevented its inclusion.

During its tenure, the exco led the national team to a historic two consecutive Chess World Cup qualifiers. They first qualified in 2022 at the 44th FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India, and again at the 45th Olympiad competition held in Budapest, Hungary, last year.

“We have broken many records. I think every year there was a new record to be broken, and we broke that. Qualifying for the World Cup, both in the junior and senior divisions back to back, was important for us.

“That is what makes me really proud. I played a key role in securing those qualifications while being a professional chess player,” he remarked.

Despite these achievements, Khoa admitted that some individuals were still dissatisfied with his leadership, often for personal or political reasons. “Perhaps we set the bar too high, making it difficult for successors to meet expectations. In terms of deliverables, we did not fail. Nonetheless, I do not hold any personal grudges, and I am very proud of my team,” he assured.



'Beware of chess criminals'

Although no longer at the helm, Khoa remains committed to chess development.

“I have over 1 000 chess players under my care at Jan Möhr Secondary School, and I’m involved in regional sports as the Namibia Schools Sport Union’s (NSSU) national chess coordinator. I also serve as chess convener for the Khomas School Sports Region (KSSR).

“I am still very involved in chess. Chess is part of my lifestyle; it’s part of my future,” he said.

To the new leadership, Khoa apologised for having to leave the federation on short notice. He also cautioned them about the challenges his leadership faced regarding “chess criminals” within the sport.

“It doesn't matter what we do; one wrong action by an individual can undo everything we've worked for. So please be careful. Deal with the issues that need to be dealt with and not with the person,” he said.

Additionally, he warned against allowing cultural divisions to influence decision-making. “Tribalism has no place in this country. Let us be one nation. My Namibia, my nation, my pride. I’m really patriotic in that sense, and I believe we can take it to the next level if we don’t focus on someone’s race,” he said.

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