emirates7 - The recent extraordinary general assembly of the UAE Chess Federation marked a groundbreaking development by adopting the 'List System' for electing the Board of Directors for the 2025–2028 term, in line with the Sports Law.
One of the key decisions was to allow resident members to occupy up to 30% of the board positions. This move represents a major shift in the structure of sports federation boards, promoting broader community participation in decision-making and reflecting the UAE leadership’s inclusive vision.
The decision also introduces a forward-looking governance model tailored to the evolving needs of the national sports sector. The Ministry of Sports hailed the UAE Chess Federation’s step as a landmark in enhancing sports governance in the country. This new system will serve as a pilot initiative to evaluate its institutional and technical impact, particularly in areas such as decision-making effectiveness, diversity of skills, implementation speed, and governance quality.
Following this trial, a detailed review will be carried out to guide future board formation strategies in other sports federations. The broader application of this model will depend on its success in achieving key goals related to professionalism, sustainability, and inclusiveness.
The Ministry also stressed that including resident members on federation boards reflects the UAE’s values of openness, tolerance, and diversity. Their involvement enables the sports sector to benefit from a wider range of skills and experiences, reinforcing sports as a means of development, social cohesion, and empowerment.
This initiative underscores the importance of integrating highly skilled individuals into sports leadership roles, especially in specialised fields like marketing, strategic planning, data analysis, and advanced technologies.
According to the Ministry, engaging experts in leadership positions will help drive performance excellence and aligns with its broader strategy to enhance the administrative capacities of sports federations. The goal is to build dynamic, accountable, and innovative institutions.
Additionally, the adoption of the electoral list system is seen as a significant organisational step forward. It strengthens the principles of integrity, transparency, specialisation, and effective administration.
For the Ministry, governance is more than a regulatory concept — it's a strategic framework that supports collaboration among sports entities, facilitates talent development, encourages wider participation in sports, and enhances overall performance.
The Ministry reaffirmed that its role extends beyond funding and logistics. It includes developing effective administrative frameworks, ensuring strong governance, and equipping boards of directors with tools for institutional innovation and long-term success.
One of the key decisions was to allow resident members to occupy up to 30% of the board positions. This move represents a major shift in the structure of sports federation boards, promoting broader community participation in decision-making and reflecting the UAE leadership’s inclusive vision.
The decision also introduces a forward-looking governance model tailored to the evolving needs of the national sports sector. The Ministry of Sports hailed the UAE Chess Federation’s step as a landmark in enhancing sports governance in the country. This new system will serve as a pilot initiative to evaluate its institutional and technical impact, particularly in areas such as decision-making effectiveness, diversity of skills, implementation speed, and governance quality.
Following this trial, a detailed review will be carried out to guide future board formation strategies in other sports federations. The broader application of this model will depend on its success in achieving key goals related to professionalism, sustainability, and inclusiveness.
The Ministry also stressed that including resident members on federation boards reflects the UAE’s values of openness, tolerance, and diversity. Their involvement enables the sports sector to benefit from a wider range of skills and experiences, reinforcing sports as a means of development, social cohesion, and empowerment.
This initiative underscores the importance of integrating highly skilled individuals into sports leadership roles, especially in specialised fields like marketing, strategic planning, data analysis, and advanced technologies.
According to the Ministry, engaging experts in leadership positions will help drive performance excellence and aligns with its broader strategy to enhance the administrative capacities of sports federations. The goal is to build dynamic, accountable, and innovative institutions.
Additionally, the adoption of the electoral list system is seen as a significant organisational step forward. It strengthens the principles of integrity, transparency, specialisation, and effective administration.
For the Ministry, governance is more than a regulatory concept — it's a strategic framework that supports collaboration among sports entities, facilitates talent development, encourages wider participation in sports, and enhances overall performance.
The Ministry reaffirmed that its role extends beyond funding and logistics. It includes developing effective administrative frameworks, ensuring strong governance, and equipping boards of directors with tools for institutional innovation and long-term success.