Chessam rebuffs SA-based players’ request
Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) has rebuffed three South Africa-based players’ request to participate in one qualifier for the forthcoming World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.
The players Richard Mbedza, Joseph Mwale and Paul Kuphwatheya, made the request to Chessam to cut costs.
The three have been seeded alongside local-based players Joseph Nyambalo and Chiletso Chipanga to participate in two national finals to qualify for the international contest.
However, the three foreign-based players said it would be costly for them to participate in the first-phase national finals in March and the last national final in April. They were seeded for being the country’s ambassadors at the 2012 Olympiad in Turkey.
“We would love to come and play for our beloved country, but three trips would be hard since we are working and transport costs to and from Malawi are high,” said Mbedza.
“We can afford the April one. In 2012, this is how I spent on two trips: From South Africa, I spent K80 000 but a ticket from Malawi to South Africa cost K30 000. In addition, I spent K15 000 on accommodation and food. When going to the Olympiad, I spent K120 000 which means I spent about K270 000 on two trips. This year, it would cost K500 000. We, therefore, ask Chessam to consider us.”
But Chessam president Kezzie Msukwa said on Tuesday it would not be possible to consider them because they deliberately arranged a string of qualifiers to make sure only the strongest players make the grade.
“It is a requirement for all seeded players to participate in two national finals because we want the strongest players to be our flag carriers in Norway.
“So, their request would not be accepted,” Msukwa said
According to Chessam publicist Gilton Mkumbwa, in the first-phase national finals, the seeded players will be joined by the best five players from each of the country’s three regions. Thereafter the best 10 players from these encounters will make it into the second-phase finals to battle for five Olympiad slots.
