Three chess players given two-year ban

Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) has imposed a two-year ban on three players Joseph Mwale, Joseph Nyambalo and Vitumbiko Gondwe as punishment for boycotting the 2014 African Chess Championships in Namibia.

The three boycotted the international event in protest to Chessam’s delay to give them allowances.

Chessam general secretary Gershom Chima told The Nation yesterday that following the ban, the three will not be allowed to take part in local competitions or represent the country at international events until January 2017.

“They have been given the ban for putting the game and the country’s pride into disrepute. This should also serve as a warning to others not to disregard discipline while carrying the country’s flag at international events. Everywhere, we always have to be strict on ethics of the mental sport,” he said.

However, Chima admitted that they have not yet communicated to the affected players on the development as “we are looking for a very sober way of doing it.”

Recently, Mwale, who is based in South Africa, Nyambalo and Gondwe were also omitted from the list of individuals that were to participate in the Zone 4.3 Chess Championships the country hosted in April as Chessam investigated the matter.

Mwale and Nyambalo are the former national champions while Gondwe has been winning a number of Southern Region Chess League (SRCL) competitions.

In an interview on Tuesday, Nyambalo said he could not comment until he gets a letter confirming his suspension.