The International Mind Sports Association, the pinnacle global body set for the governance and promotion of mind sports, has elected Nandan Kumar Jha as the new IMSA president.
The announcement came during IMSA’s annual general assembly in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The association boasts of an impressive membership of 200 countries championing the values of cognitive excellence, cultural exchange, and strategic development.
IMSA is established to represent and elevate mind sports on the global stage. It works closely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other affiliate global sports federations to integrate mind sports into mainstream global sports frameworks. International Sports Federations affiliated to IMSA represents nine sports—including Chess, Draughts, Esports, Poker, Go, and Bridge.
Jha is the founder and advisor of the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) in India, a not-for-profit body championing the development and regulation of esports and online games in the country.
“Appointment of Nandan Jha as president of IMSA marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for mind sports on the global stage. His passion for intellectual games and his proven ability to lead impactful initiatives resonate deeply with IMSA’s mission. I look forward to working closely with him as we strive to make mind sports more accessible, empowering communities worldwide to embrace their cognitive and cultural benefits’’, added Geoffrey Borg, CEO, IMSA.
IMSA was founded to bridge diverse communities through mental disciplines, IMSA is dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of mind sports worldwide. Under Jha’s leadership, IMSA aspires to strengthen its programs and advocate for the inclusion of mind sports in educational curricula and international events, promoting the role of intellectual games in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Commenting on his appointment, Jha said; “It is an honor to serve as the president of IMSA and a responsibility I take with great humility. Mind sports are not just games; they are tools for fostering intellectual growth, strategic thinking, and empathy. My vision is to make mind sports more inclusive and accessible, inspiring millions to engage in these disciplines for personal and collective growth.”
With a commitment to leveraging mind sports for global cognitive advancement, Jha plans to introduce initiatives that make these disciplines more accessible to young minds, fostering creativity, strategic thinking, and resilience. His leadership aims to bring a transformative era to IMSA, ensuring its programs reach underserved regions and inspire the next generation of champions and innovators.
The 44-year-old Indian’s nomination was proposed by the World Draughts Federation, where he currently serves as honorary vice president. His election places him among a distinguished group of Indians who have held top leadership roles in international sports federations in the past.
Notable predecessors include Narinder Batra, President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH); Anil Khanna, interim President of the Asian Tennis Federation; N Ramachandran, President of the World Squash Federation; and Ajay Singh, Vice President of the International Boxing Association (IBA).
“Nandan’s election as IMSA president is a proud moment for the global mind sports community. His dedication, vision, and leadership will bring a fresh perspective to the promotion and growth of mind sports worldwide. I am confident that under his guidance, IMSA will scale new heights and foster greater inclusivity and innovation across all intellectual games”, said Jacek Pawlicki, president, World Draughts Federation.
He is also the recipient of India’s National Bravery Award (1997) and the Jeevan Raksha Padak (1998), where he was recognized for his courage and dedication to public welfare. He has also initiated several impactful projects, including the Gandhi Mandela Foundation, which promotes peace and empathy globally, and the Interactive Forum on Indian Economy, which fosters discourse on sustainable development.
