Parents say chess federation overcharged N$62 000 for Kenyan trip
Several parents and guardians of 29 players who took part in the African Schools Individual Chess Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, in May have accused the Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) of allegedly overcharging them around N$62 000 for the trip.
The parents claim that some were charged for everything, including administration and registration fees, tracksuits, flight tickets, accommodation and other travel expenses, despite the federation allegedly receiving sponsorships to cover the costs.
One parent, speaking on condition of anonymity and reportedly representing the views of multiple concerned parents, said they had unsuccessfully sought clarification from the education ministry’s executive director, Erastus Haitengela, on whether the ministry had allocated funds to the federation.
The parent further claimed that the chess federation had mentioned receiving N$200 000 and claimed that every player was supposed to receive N$6 896.
"However, none of our children have received that amount to this day. They did not explain what the money was used for, but they confirmed that one of the players who received the money handed it over to an executive committee member’s child. They even admitted there was a conflict of interest."
The group also questioned why refunds were discussed by the federation if everything had been handled properly as claimed and that the federation could allegedly not explain why they had to pay to be registered and incur administrative fees.
“They claimed the tracksuits cost N$2 000, but in reality, the tracksuits are around N$600 to N$700," the parent said.
Limited financial resources
NCF president Berdian Beukes confirmed that the federation received a N$200 000 sponsorship through the Namibia Schools Sport Union (NSSU).
Beukes also said the total estimated cost per participant or accompanying parent was approximately N$31 915, with 60 Namibian players qualifying for the event.
He added that given the high costs and the federation's limited financial resources, parents were given the option to fund their children’s participation.
Beukes said that as volunteers in the chess community, many executive committee members have experienced the sacrifices required for international participation without the support of the federation or government.
"Following confirmation of committed participants, the NCF submitted a formal funding request to NSSU on 28 April 2025 for school colours and flights for 29 players, two coaches, and two officials," he explained.
He added that the NSSU responded on 8 May, indicating that they would commit N$200 000 for the whole team to travel.
“This condition introduced logistical and ethical complexities. The NCF replied on 14 May, proposing to divide the sponsorship equally among all confirmed participants, amounting to N$6 896.55 per person."
Refunding parents
Beukes said that further discussions followed on 19 May via WhatsApp with NSSU.
"Although NSSU expressed that no child should be excluded due to financial hardship, a definitive directive on covering full costs for those unable to pay was not issued.”
With travel deadlines approaching, Beukes said the federation made urgent decisions to cover outstanding balances for players facing shortfalls so that no child was left behind.
"Unfortunately, one of the players assisted turned out to be the child of an executive member, a fact not considered at the time," he noted, adding that this has "understandably raised concerns around perceived conflicts of interest".
Beukes stressed that "while no personal gain was intended, and the executive member was not involved in the decision, the appearance of impropriety is something we deeply regret".
He said the NCF has committed to refunding parents who paid the full amount for any unused funds, including the cost difference on items like tracksuits.
“The administrative fee has been standardised at N$950. Any excess amount charged per player or accompanying person will be refunded as a gesture of goodwill," he noted.
"In hindsight, we regret accepting the NSSU funds under such pressure. While the intention was to support the team equitably, the compressed timeline and emotional intensity of last-minute decisions contributed to oversights," he added.
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The parents claim that some were charged for everything, including administration and registration fees, tracksuits, flight tickets, accommodation and other travel expenses, despite the federation allegedly receiving sponsorships to cover the costs.
One parent, speaking on condition of anonymity and reportedly representing the views of multiple concerned parents, said they had unsuccessfully sought clarification from the education ministry’s executive director, Erastus Haitengela, on whether the ministry had allocated funds to the federation.
The parent further claimed that the chess federation had mentioned receiving N$200 000 and claimed that every player was supposed to receive N$6 896.
"However, none of our children have received that amount to this day. They did not explain what the money was used for, but they confirmed that one of the players who received the money handed it over to an executive committee member’s child. They even admitted there was a conflict of interest."
The group also questioned why refunds were discussed by the federation if everything had been handled properly as claimed and that the federation could allegedly not explain why they had to pay to be registered and incur administrative fees.
“They claimed the tracksuits cost N$2 000, but in reality, the tracksuits are around N$600 to N$700," the parent said.
Limited financial resources
NCF president Berdian Beukes confirmed that the federation received a N$200 000 sponsorship through the Namibia Schools Sport Union (NSSU).
Beukes also said the total estimated cost per participant or accompanying parent was approximately N$31 915, with 60 Namibian players qualifying for the event.
He added that given the high costs and the federation's limited financial resources, parents were given the option to fund their children’s participation.
Beukes said that as volunteers in the chess community, many executive committee members have experienced the sacrifices required for international participation without the support of the federation or government.
"Following confirmation of committed participants, the NCF submitted a formal funding request to NSSU on 28 April 2025 for school colours and flights for 29 players, two coaches, and two officials," he explained.
He added that the NSSU responded on 8 May, indicating that they would commit N$200 000 for the whole team to travel.
“This condition introduced logistical and ethical complexities. The NCF replied on 14 May, proposing to divide the sponsorship equally among all confirmed participants, amounting to N$6 896.55 per person."
Refunding parents
Beukes said that further discussions followed on 19 May via WhatsApp with NSSU.
"Although NSSU expressed that no child should be excluded due to financial hardship, a definitive directive on covering full costs for those unable to pay was not issued.”
With travel deadlines approaching, Beukes said the federation made urgent decisions to cover outstanding balances for players facing shortfalls so that no child was left behind.
"Unfortunately, one of the players assisted turned out to be the child of an executive member, a fact not considered at the time," he noted, adding that this has "understandably raised concerns around perceived conflicts of interest".
Beukes stressed that "while no personal gain was intended, and the executive member was not involved in the decision, the appearance of impropriety is something we deeply regret".
He said the NCF has committed to refunding parents who paid the full amount for any unused funds, including the cost difference on items like tracksuits.
“The administrative fee has been standardised at N$950. Any excess amount charged per player or accompanying person will be refunded as a gesture of goodwill," he noted.
"In hindsight, we regret accepting the NSSU funds under such pressure. While the intention was to support the team equitably, the compressed timeline and emotional intensity of last-minute decisions contributed to oversights," he added.
[email protected]
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