Congo Town – Former President of the Liberia Chess Federation (LCF), William T. Thompson, has accused the federation’s current president, Thomas Karyah, of misappropriating funds and failing to uphold transparency and accountability in managing the institution’s affairs.

By Jaheim T. Tumu | jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaline.com

Thompson, who led the LCF from 2018 to 2022, blamed Karyah for Liberia’s non-participation in the ongoing zonal tournament, the absence of a national championship, and failure to convene a general assembly, all of which he says reflect a breakdown in governance and planning.

“There has been no comprehensive financial report provided to stakeholders,” Thompson said. “This raises serious questions about transparency and accountability in the management of funds, including transfers from the Government of Liberia and other partners.”

He called for an independent audit and immediate public disclosure of the federation’s financial records, noting that despite receiving funds, the LCF still owes both local and international debts, which he says are undermining the credibility of the federation and limiting international participation.

Thompson touted his achievements while in office, including securing the federation’s headquarters, leading Liberia to its first Chess Olympiad in Georgia, hosting the African Juniors Tournament, and launching the “Liberia Chess in Schools” initiative. He criticized Karyah for failing to maintain these initiatives and for taking unilateral actions that risk tarnishing the LCF’s reputation.

He also stressed that the absence of a national championship since 2023 and the failure to hold general assemblies have stifled democratic processes and hindered talent development in the sport.

“We must prioritize convening a general assembly and develop a strategic work plan,” Thompson said. “The current lack of direction and planning is hurting chess in Liberia.”

In response to the allegations, Karyah dismissed Thompson’s claims, stating he would not “give credence to people who are trying to suppress the truth.”

“There are two worlds: the world of chess that is ongoing in Liberia, and the one that Thompson is talking about,” Karyah told FrontPage Africa. “Realistically, I do not want to give credence to people who are trying to distort the reality of the federation.”

He added that the LCF has already released its calendar for the upcoming national championship and remains focused on developing young chess players across the country.

Despite Karyah’s rebuttal, Thompson insists that urgent reforms—starting with a financial audit, a general assembly, and a strategic work plan—are needed to restore credibility and chart a new course for the federation.

Monrovia – The Liberia Chess Federation (LCF) has announced plans to provide annual financial and material support to its member clubs. 

By Jahiem Tumu, Jaheim.tumu@frontpageaffricaonline.com

This decision follows the government’s approval of a $5,000 allocation for 2025, a significant increase from the $1,230 initially proposed in the 2024 national budget.

During a meeting at the federation’s headquarters in Sinkor, LCF officials approved a proposal to allocate 10% of the annual government subsidy to support fully compliant, dues-paying, and affiliated clubs. 

This means that member clubs that meet the necessary requirements will receive a share of the government funding.

In addition to the financial support, the LCF has introduced a player transfer system. Transfer fees will now be required for players moving between clubs. 

The fees will be negotiated between the player, their manager, and the acquiring club, with 70% of the amount going to the departing club and 30% allocated to the LCF.

LCF President Thomas Karyah emphasized the importance of increasing financial support for the federation, noting that while the LCF receives an annual €5,000 subsidy from the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and government allocations, these funds are not sufficient to meet operational needs.

He urged for more investment in chess to support its role in developing young minds and contributing to national growth.

Monrovia- The president of the Liberia Chess Federation (LCF) Thomas Karyah’s resignation letter has been unanimously rejected by officials due to alleged financial uncertainty hanging over association.

By: Thomas Kojo Rouljac, Contributing Writer

Karyah’s resignation comes amid calls from few members claiming that his leadership was not proceeding in the right direction.

Others also alleged that he was running the LCF without the involvement of officials who were elected at the 2022 general assembly in Paynesville.

Karyah led the LCF to many international competitions, including two World Chess Olympiads.

He, however, decided to step down having been accused of mismanaging funds given by government and other partners.

“With a heart full of relief and optimism, I write to formally announce my resignation as LCF president with immediate effect.

“I am relieved that this period of my life has finally come to an end and optimistic about the future of Chess in Liberia. Serving as president of the LCF for the past 30 months has been an interesting journey and a great learning opportunity,” Karyah wrote.

But LCF treasurer Martin Doe announced that Karyah’s resignation won’t be accepted. “Our president wants to escape because of the amount of debt he placed on the financially struggling LCF.

“Thomas made us to be indebted to creditors with over US$50,000 while the government of Liberia gave just US$38,000 from an expected US$47,000 for our recent travel to Hungary.

“Who do you expect to pay for debt that you took in your own name using our institution’s letterhead when you met us debt free,” Doe asked at a news conference on 2 November.

For his part, LCF Vice President Gonkartee Dekpah wants a turnover note from Karyah before his resignation is accepted. Dekpah wants Karyah  inform all stakeholders, including the Ministries of Youth & Sports and Finance & Development Planning and international Chess partners before resigning.

Monrovia—The President of the Liberia Chess Federation (LCF), Thomas Karyah, has raised alarm over the mounting pressure the federation is facing from creditors who financed their recent travels to Budapest, Hungary. 

The LCF was preparing for the 45th World Chess Olympiad when it accumulated debts after the government failed to disburse an allocated sum of $47,000 intended for the delegation’s travel expenses in September.

During appearances on two separate sports programs on Saturday, October 5, 2024, Mr. Karyah emphasized that the government has yet to release these funds, which are crucial for repaying the creditors. 

“Since our return nearly two weeks ago, we have exhausted all possible avenues to resolve this issue, yet nothing has materialized,” he lamented.

Mr. Karyah claimed that since April, officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Finance have been deferring their requests without any clear timeline for when the funds will be accessible. 

“We are under serious pressure from those people, and the interest rates keep increasing,” Mr. Karyah explained.

He expressed the belief that the financial instability has contributed to players boycotting games during open sessions, negatively impacting the team’s overall performance and morale. 

“The team faced numerous challenges during the competition due to the lack of government support,” he added.

In response to Mr. Karyah’s concerns, G. Andy Quamie, Deputy Minister for Sports at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, acknowledged the federation’s frustrations. 

He, however, assured that the ministry is actively working to resolve the issue. 

“Karyah, you know we are not the problem regarding the delay in funding, but we are making every effort behind the scenes to ensure the money is released very soon,” Quamie stated during a phone-in on a Truth FM Sports talk program.

The LCF continues to await the necessary government support to alleviate its financial burdens and reinstate its standing in the chess community.

Monrovia-Liberia Chess Federation 2023 National Individual Championship officially kicked off, on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at the Sinkor Palace Hotel in Congo Town.

The 2023 National Chess Championship is the 6th edition of premier chess event since the establishment of the Liberia Chess Federation in 2014. FM Barcon Harmon, James Tondo, Thomas Saah, and Bobby Ballah won 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 and the 2022 editions respectively.

The two weeks’ tournament, putting Liberia’s best 20 chess players against each other will conclude on 28 January 2024.

Twenty (20) players are competing in an 11-round cage fight to squeeze out the 2023 National Individual Chess Champion and fill the 5 Open Section slots at the upcoming World Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest, Hungary.

Before the start of the championship, the federation completed the first set of events for 2023, which include the 2023 Rapid Chess Championship (won by Thomas Saah), and the National Blitz Chess Championship ( won by Kennedy Zinnah Kengo ).

Speaking during the opening ceremony, LCF President Thomas Karyah described this year’s championship as an impotence event that is starting on a small note.

“This event is going to solve many of our problems about the quality of chess in the Liberia and the country representation in international competitions” he said.

He said, with the national classical Championship being live online across with video feed for followers, it is going to directly and indirectly support all of the Federation’s program in order to create more opportunities for the game.

He noted that as people see the game being played in Liberia from the ongoing Championship, they are going to be motivated to participate or support based on the quality delivered by the federation most especially at the competition.