Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) risks an international ban if, within a week, it fails to source funds to process the national team’s visas in South Africa ahead of the World Chess Olympiad.
Chessam general secretary Gift Howahowa yesterday admitted that they are in a dilemma after the Malawi National Council of Sports turned down their request for over K40 million to process visas for 14 members of the team and cater for other expenses during the world tournament in Budapest, Hungary between September 10 and 23.
He said the world chess governing body Fide already provided about K30 million for the team’s air tickets, which comprises 12 players and two officials.
“We are in a race against time to secure visa processing funding before the end of this month or we risk international sanctions. Therefore, we are appealing to the corporate world to assist us in whatever way possible,” said Howahowa.
On whether they gave the Sports Council ample time to respond to their funding request, he said submissions were made about six months ago as well as reminders.
“We first sent our plans and budget for this year last November. The council gave us hope when they told us to trim our budget for Olympiad preparations, including visas and said they would see what to do. There have been correspondences on the same,” Howahowa said.
“It is only recently that Sports Council wrote us, stating that there is no funding because their focus is now on funding developmental activities, which Chessam already benefits from.”
But Sports Council chief executive officer Henry Kamata yesterday said they will only provide the financial support when resources are available.
“First, it is important to state that we supported Chessam with funds for the youth competition [African Youth Chess Championship] that took place [in June] in South Africa,” he said.
“As for the Olympiad, Chessam sent their budget for the council to also support and we will do that subject to availability of resources.
“It is also important to note that the council provides support to a lot of sports associations, therefore, we need to share the available resources fairly among the associations.”
In March this year, Chessam identified the Olympiad team through the national championships. The men’s section has Fide Master (FM) Joseph Mwale, Candidate Master (CM) Petros ‘Razorblade’ Mfune, CM Alfred Chimthere, Precious Kamwendo and CM George Mwale.
The women’s category has champion Caroline Trapence, former Chessam president Susan Namangale, Women Candidate Master (WFM) Linda Jambo-Chaononga, Tupokiwe Msukwa and Annie Simwaba.
