Stanley Omondi, a male chess player, disguised himself in a hijab to participate in the women’s section of the 2023 Kenya Open Chess Championship.
He may face a lengthy ban from the sport for committing fraud, according to Victor Ng’ani, a member of the Chess Kenya Disciplinary Committee.
The committee will start dealing with the matter once they receive a formal complaint from the Executive Committee of the Bernard Wanjala-led federation. Although Ng’ani ruled out a life ban, he stated that Omondi would receive a severe punishment if found guilty, citing past cases of six-month bans for age cheating.
Omondi had hoped to win the Sh500,000 cash prize for the women’s section winner, as he could not compete in the Open Section, which was reserved for all men and willing ladies.
After easily defeating former Kenya National Chess Championship Women’s section winner Gloria Jumba and Ugandan top player Ampaira Shakira, Omondi was interrogated by the tournament’s arbiters, where he admitted to being male.
Omondi declined to comment on the matter but admitted to being a good chess player and playing for a top university in the Kenya National Chess Premier League.
