Match-fixing: National chess master banned for 10 years

Anwar Qureshi, however, says National Chess Championship can't ban him without consulting Chess Federation of Pakistan PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: National Master Anwar Qureshi from Sindh, who finished runner-up in the 28th National Chess Championship, was banned for 10 years and fined Rs100,000 by the event’s vigilance committee on match-fixing charges.    

According to a statement issued by the organising committee, Qureshi was convicted of various acts of corruption, breach of discipline and violation of the code of conduct.

The charges were levelled as per the report of the Vigilance and Inquiry Committee.

Speaking to APP on phone, Qureshi said: “I am surprised by the news of ban because I had received no such information from the Chess Federation of Pakistan.”

“How can the Organising Committee of the 28th National Chess Championship ban me without letting the CFP know and without issuing me a show cause notice,” Qureshi question.

The letter issued to Qureshi states that he was charged for deliberately getting involved in match-fixing and bribing. Accusing him of infringement of the code of conduct, the letter mentioned that his acts were in violation of the sports policy and the constitution of the Chess Federation and Provincial Association.

Qureshi can file an appeal against the decision to the organising committee no later than August 23.