Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 27:

National Chess Development Coordination Committee (NCDCC) has accused president of Nepal Chess Association Sita Ram Agrahari for various irregularities and has demanded elections of the association immediately.

Convenor of the NCDCC Rajesh Hari Joshi accused president Agrahari for making an unsuccessful attempt to bribe Bangladeshi Arman Monier to become Nepal’s skipper for the 36th Chess Olympiad, which was held in Spain in October 2004.

Joshi handed over a copy of a reciept mentioning Monier’s name while booking a room at one of Spain’s hotels, as a proof of Agrahari’s attempt to purse a heavy sum, at a press meet organised by the NCDCC today. However, Monier was denied the visas by the Spanish Embassy.

But Agrahari defended him saying all the allegations were baseless and just an attempt to defame him. Instead he accused the NCDCC officials of coming forward after they were ousted from the NCA. “It’s true that I approached Monier, but not to be a player. I requested him to become the coach of Nepali squad,” clarified Agrahari. He also claimed that he had done a lot for the development of the sport during his three-year tenure.

President Agrahari was also blamed by the NCDCC of including the undeserving candidates to participate in the Olympiad after taking a large sum of money from them. According to the NCDCC officials, Agrahari had asked for Rs 100,000 each from all the selected player for the Olympiad. However, Agrahari denied that he took money from players.

Speaking at the programme, former president Narayan Joshi said that it was unfortunate on our part to have such rows. Members of NCDCC Santosh Man Singh Pradhan, Ram Prasad Kasula, Nabin Tandukar and Bhagbati Prasad Sharma were also present on the occasion.