Stripped of her title, Kenya chess champion cries for justice

Sanjana Deshpande has bitterly protested Chess Kenya’s move to strip her of her Kenya women’s champion title because she is not a citizen of the country.

On Wednesday, Chess Kenya Secretary General Joseph Atwoli sent the teenage champion a message citing part of the federation’s constitution that says the title of a National Champion shall be a reserve of Kenyan citizens.

Deshpande was crowned the national champion last December after finishing with maximum points in an event held at Kenyatta University and was presented with a trophy as well as a cash prize by Chess Kenya officials led by chairman Githinji Hinga.

LIVED IN KENYA

Sanjana is an Indian citizen who has lived in Kenya for 11 years and has represented the county in a number of junior events, winning several titles. On Thursday, the 18-year-old accused the federation of being biased and killing talent in the country and wondered why they did not bar her from taking part in the event in the first place.

According to the rules of the championship that was FIDE-rated, the event was open to citizens, residents and non-residents, making them eligible to take part in the national championship.

“They should have barred me from taking part in the first place,” she said.