The International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), the pinnacle global body for the governance and promotion of mind sports, has elected Nandan Kumar Jha as its new President, marking a historic first for India. The announcement came during IMSA’s Annual General Assembly in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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. 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, President of the International Boxing Association (IBA).
However, unlike the above-mentioned distinguished figures who spearheaded individual international sports federations, Jha’s appointment notably stands out as IMSA is a unique umbrella organisation of nine different International Federations. Additionally, Jha has become the youngest Indian to take a leadership role in top international sports federation.
Nandan Kumar Jha Becomes First Indian President of the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA)
“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.
IMSA, established in 2005 to represent and elevate mind sports on the global stage, works closely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other affiliate global sports federations to integrate mind sports into mainstream global sports frameworks. With affiliated International Federations representing nine sports—including Chess, Draughts, Esports, Poker, Go, and Bridge—IMSA boasts an impressive membership of 200 countries. IMSA champions the values of cognitive excellence, cultural exchange, and strategic development.
“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.
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.”
A recipient of India’s National Bravery Award (1997) and the Jeevan Raksha Padak (1998), Jha has been recognized for his courage and dedication to public welfare. Beyond his role at IMSA, he 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.
As a social worker, Jha has 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.
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 International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) unites the global governing bodies of prominent mind sports to promote the values of intellectual competition, cultural exchange, knowledge development and skill upgradation. Founded to bridge diverse communities through mental disciplines, IMSA is dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of mind sports worldwide.