)
A male Kenyan chess star dressed as a woman eliminated Uganda's highly rated chess player Shakira Ampaire in the women's division at the Kenya Chess Open, thus raising suspicion.
A male Kenyan chess star dressed as a woman eliminated Uganda's highly rated chess player Shakira Ampaire in the women's division at the Kenya Chess Open, thus raising suspicion.
In a bizarre incident, a Kenyan chess player, Stanley Omondi, well known in the country's game of chess circles, decided to wear a hijab and opted to compete against women.
)
Omondi wore a hijab and spectacles and registered himself under a false identity of Millicent Awour.
According to the organisers, Omondi spoke to no one as he tried to disguise himself. However, his 'success' at the championship gave him away.
He eliminated Kenya's female champion Gloria Jumbo and Uganda's top-rated star Ampaire thus raising suspicion about the unknown player.
According to BBC, the organisers raised a red flag as they wondered how this 'unknown' player had managed to upset solid contenders.
"We didn't have any suspicion at first because wearing a hijab is normal," one of the organisers told BBC Sport Africa.
"But along the way, we noticed he won against powerful players… and it will be unlikely to have a new person who has never played a tournament [being very strong]."
Omondi has since apologised and confessed that he disguised himself to compete in women's competition because he felt he stood a better chance at winning the championship.
The chess open had a grand prize of KShs500,000 (about Ug. Shs14m), with each division allocated Shs7m.
In the women's division, Uganda's Peninah Nakabo, Sana Omprakash and Shakira Ampaire finished in the top ten.
Uganda's Harold Wanyama won the men's division in the competition that climaxed on April 12.
He walked away with the grand prize.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
![[Watch]: She Cranes, Vinka team up for 'All Over You' dance challenge](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/14122023/31c06c75-4037-451a-afab-4b089d805469.jpg?operations=fit(600:))
)
)
)
)
)
![Sports Gist: [Watch] Karole Kasita, Feffe Bussi show off boxing skills at the Chekecha concert](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/18112023/fef84da9-f9ae-42ff-9258-ccbb24a2d231.jpg?operations=fit(600:))
)