The judgment date for Fiji Chess Federation (FCF) and FASANOC (Fiji Association of Sports and National Committee) has been set for August 15.

FCF had taken FASANOC to court after it claimed that its suspension was based on rumors and that FASANOC had no powers to interfere in FCF’s affairs.

The matter was heard before Justice Deepthi Amaratunga at the Suva High Court yesterday.

FCF lawyer Shoma Daven in her submission said that the federation was unfairly suspended without a fair hearing.

Ms Daven said they had sought an immediate reinstatement and had also asked the court for permission to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM).

She further told the court the things that had led to FCF’s suspension.

Ms Daven said communication started by FASANOC in late November last year, were made by FCF members that certain office members were involved in inappropriate conduct.

She further stated that certain members and non-members tried to organise an Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) to discuss that issue.

It was highlighted by Ms Daven that the executive board was required to send 10 subsequent requests to hold an AGM and that 10 requests did come, however, nine had withdrawn.

She said that because FASANOC felt that FCF was not doing much to resolve the internal issues they suspended them.

FCF had received a letter of suspension on April 18 this year, and the reason was failure to hold an AGM. FASANOC was of the belief that the issue was not resolved.

It was explained by Ms Daven that an AGM was organised on March 18 and FASANOC was also invited to attend.

However, the meeting could not progress because some non-members were present.

The non-members had demanded that they also be allowed to be part of the meeting and due to the risk of violence, Police were called and the meeting had to be called off.

FASANOC counsel Melvin Chand replied to the submissions saying that FCF was an incorporated association and was not legal.

He further stated that FCF came to court without any ‘locus standi’.

Mr Chand said that this failure was fatal to FCF as they had failed to make leave to amend.

There were allegations made by Mr Chand that FCF’s former president Calvin Prasad had  had misbehaved in an after party while he was drunk.

Ms Daven replied to Mr Chand’s allegation saying that the suspension was based on the AGM not being conducted and not on Mr Prasad’s behaviour in an after party.

The case has been adjourned to August 15, for judgment.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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