Ban for viral male player disguised as woman reduced
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 02.02.25. | 15:32
Omondi had registered in the 2023 Kenya Open Championships as Millicent Awuor and to disguise himself he put on a buibui
Stanley Omondi, who was handed a three-year suspension from all chess activities in 2023 for impersonation will have his ban reduced by one year.
This follows an appeal lodged by the player three weeks ago. In a response to his appeal, the Chess Kenya disciplinary committee revealed that Omondi's ban will now end on April 1, 2025.
“We acknowledge receipt of your letter in which you appealed for leniency. We appreciate your remorse and recognize the growth and learning you have demonstrated following the misconduct,” said part of the letter to Omondi.
The letter adds: “After thorough consideration, we decided to commute your three-year ban to a two-year ban which will now end on April 1, 2025. This decision reflects our commitment to fair and just treatment while encouraging positive behaviour.”
Omondi had registered in the 2023 Kenya Open Championships as Millicent Awuor and to disguise himself he put on a buibui to be able to play in the ladies’ section.
Chess Kenya disciplinary committee handed down a three-year ban to the player in 2023 after being found guilty of two offences, the first one being registering for the ladies’ section of the 2023 Kenya Open Chess Championship while being a male.
“The second offence is that you used a different name (Millicent Awuor) and not your real name, Stanley Omondi to register and play in the ladies’ section of the said event,” said the ruling delivered by the committee.
Omondi was eligible to appeal the ban at the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) but did not.
Three weeks ago, he wrote to the disciplinary committee requesting to have his ban lifted.
“I write to state my intention to appeal my three-year ban from Chess Kenya’s events which began in April 2023 at this year’s general meeting.
I have taken the period of close to two years to reflect on my actions and can sincerely admit that they were utterly regrettable, to say the least,” he said in his appeal letter.
He added: "I have since started cultivating patience in my activities, a virtue I dearly lacked previously.
I hope to continue growing in it and be a respectable member of the Chess Kenya community, a people who were becoming a second family to me before my regrettable actions in 2023. Looking forward to a positive response.”
