IRISH OPEN /QUALIFER 2010

[Hugh Devlin]

Hi Tommy, It’s nice to read that you have no personal quarrel with me, since you have accused me of being biased, setting myself up as “judge and jury”, accusing the WCDF of “glossing over this issue”, and asking me to “come clean” on this. I am going to take you up on this offer and I’ll leave others to be the judge of what you accuse me of.

As you know, I have met with Lubabulo Kondlo, Alan Millhone, and Colin Webeter in person and I have discussed many issues with each of them, face to face, regarding the game of draughts (checkers) over the past 8 years. In that respect I have a better insight than most people do as to what the issues are in this case. All of them are honourable people and all of them retain my highest regard.

There have been a number of issues that have arisen regarding the game in South Africa, some of them political, some of them organisational. Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is affiliated to the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee. They are recognised as an official sports body by the South African government and they have a delegate on the South African Sport and Olympics committee. As such they are governed by South Africa’s Sports regulations and procedures. These include the fact that someone representing South Africa in international sports events must be nominated by the recognised body responsible for that sport in order to receive what is known as “colours” or recognition by their Government, and any associated funding available from that body. In the case of checkers that body is MSSA. In order to be eligible a person must be a registered member of a club, and that club must be affiliated to MSSA. The cost of a club registering with MSSA for the year is 100 Rand, which is approximately the cost of two “Big Mac’s” in South Africa. The MSSA run a series of provincial championships each year, and the winners of these go forward to represent their provinces at national championships. The players who finish highest in these national championships are those eligible to represent South Africa on behalf of MSSA. That is in keeping with national sports policy in South Africa.


One of the issues that had arisen here is that for some time Lubabulo had not been a paid up member of a club that was affiliated to MSSA and therefore under the regulations he could not be put forward to represent MSSA. Many observers considered this as some form of victimisation of Kondlo, being South Africa’s best player, but this issue was not about Kondlo, it was about whether or not he was compliant with their regulations, and in this case he was not. It is my personal belief that there were other hidden issues involved as to why he was not a paid up member, and Lubabulo disclosed some of these to me in a private Email on 16th September 2008 that included claims of intimidation by members of his own local club in Port Elizabeth not to affiliate to MSSA. There followed a series of accusations that Colin Webster was responsible as he did not forward the appropriate affiliation forms to Kondlo. Despite these accusations, I was aware that Colin had forwarded them (on 6 June 2008, 8 March 2008, 18 February 2008, 9 February 2008, 24 January 2008, 19 Jan 2008, and 5 August 2007 to be exact) as he had copied a number of these Emails to me (and others) at the time of sending to Lubabulo. Being aware that these accusations were untrue I said so, and I was accused of being biased in favour of my “friend” Colin Webster.

This accusation caused considerable “debate” on this forum and where a small number of individuals engaged in abusive behaviour, involving attempts of blackening Colin’s name amid claims that he was a racist. (The complete ignorance of these accusations can be seen through the fact that over 99% of MSSA’a membership is black). I complained to Alan Millhone about this abuse on 12th Feb 2008 thus; “P.S. I also note the derogatory and insulting remarks posted on the ACF Forum by Tommy Canning regarding “the Kondlo Affair” and I have to ask how this has been allowed to remain on a public forum and not censored by you or your team. Accusing someone of racism (without a shred of evidence) on a public forum is defamation of character and normally dealt with through the courts in Europe.”


I can appreciate that Alan Millhone has good intentions here, which I cannot fault. However, much of what had been written by individuals, including himself, was fulled my unsubstantiated claims of wrongdoing. I asked Alan for any evidence to back up his claims and I have to state that he failed to send me anything to back them up. There were no facts presented, no collaborative Emails, no evidence of any kind. In contrast I had hard evidence to back up Colin’s claims.

In an E-mail to Alan on 12th Feb 2009 I wrote: “The only reason I raise this subject is that it is not a case of who I favour, its a case of evidence. You can either accept evidance, or ignore it. Regarding the "Forum" article, it is very much biased towards one side, ignoring the evidence that is available which proves otherwise. You can choose to ignore that if you wish, but in doing so you are attempting to hide the truth.

It matters little whether I am the only person to complain about this article or not. You are missing a point here. Any article of this type, and relating to any person, should not be accepted by the Moderators of any public website. It is biased, insulting, and attacks someone's character through unproven hearsay. Accusing someone of Racism is a very serious matter. I have to ask does the ACF have any ethics at all that can allow this?”

As a result of this Alan Millhone and myself agreed to disagree on these issues. While I have the highest respect for Alan, and fully supportive of his leadership and organisational skills, I do admit that we have failed to agree on this singular issue.

To being this into the current debate - last year the QT was scheduled to be held at the Isle of Wight, Britain. Lubabaulo Kondlo had an automatic entry to this event, being the winner of the previous one (GAYP 2007). He was also a paid up member of Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) and MMSA asked that he be their nomination (as opposed to being a WCDF Nomination) representing South Africa at these games. That was agreed.

As I’ve already stated, the WCDF forwarded letters of invitation to Lubabulo which contained both a “glowing reference” (citing all that he had achieved and how he had represented his country with great distinction) and all details regarding the then upcoming QT. These were sent to both Colin Webster, and Lubabulo Kondlo (both Via Email attachment and originals Via Airmail) to facilitate the process of Visa application.

After Lubalulo failed to turn up at the Isle Of Wight there was a rumour began again that Colin Webster had in some way prevented Kondlo’s visa application from being processed. That accusation continues to this day with Alan Millhone’s (and Tommy Cannings’s) accusations on this forum as recent as last week that “Colin Webster saw to it that Kondlo did not get his Visa to enter the qualifier.”

While I appreciate that Alan and I can disagree on this, I do have a serious issue when this Forum is being used once more to blacken someone’s name, and hence my reply on the subject. This is not good for the game of checkers nor checker organisations when this type of picture is presented to the World. Its one of the reasons I rarely look at this forum, it can be so derogatory and depressing at times.

I take these accusations very seriously. There is a clear accusation here that a delegate to the WCDF (Colin Webster on behalf of MSSA) purposely prevented a player (Lubabulo Kondlo) from participating in a WCDF event. That’s a very serious accusation, and as President of the WCDF I have a duty to investigate this. Hence I asked for any evidence available to back up these claims. Again none was received. I spoke to Tommy Canning about this in the Chapel at Urney, Co. Tyrone one evening during September 2009 in the presence of others. He admitted to me that he has absolutely no evidence and the best he could come up with was “Well there’s no smoke without fire!” That is the basis for naming someone as a racist on the Internet, and I note this continues with his description of Colin as a “maggot” last week. There’s evidence for you! Again I had asked Alan for any evidence and received nothing.

In contrast I asked Colin Webster for any explanation and I have to say he stated that he didn’t know for sure what happened in the end, but he did proceed to furnish me with numerous Emails between himself, Lubabulo Kondlo, and others, that were exchanged in the weeks prior to the Qualifiers at the Isle of Wight. They show a very different story than the accusations made by Alan Millhone. They show that Colin not only facilitated Kondlo with information on how to go about it, but that he offered him practical help in filling in the forms online (via another family member in Port Elizabeth), and that Colin Webster had actually paid Kondlo’s Visa applications fee. I would ask that you simply do not take my word for this, as I can make all of these available to those who have a real interest in getting to the bottom of this.

In view of my investigations (as President of the WCDF) I find that Colin Webster has no case to answer as none has been made against him, only malicious and unsubstantiated rumours. On the other hand there is evidence that shows the opposite of that for which he is accused. I would therefore address this to Alan Millhone and Tommy Canning and I asking that they collaborate these claims of wrong-doing by providing some evidence or withdraw them in the name of decency. Hugh.

[william]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH HUGH !!!!

I would suggest that all of those people , who carelessly threw allegations around on this forum READ CAREFULLY the facts and figures presented here by Hugh.

For those people who have not met this guy just let me say a few words concerning my friend.( Although after such a post I guess he has set things straight on his own).

Hugh has been an active promotor ( one of the best) of our game for many many years now . His only ambition is to promote the game , not himself. Hugh is DEFINATELY a fair guy , in all terms and is CERTAINLY not easily influenced.

there is no egocentricity involved here , no favoritism , no racism... if Hugh says a checker is black , then believe me ... it's not white and vice versa

I am convinced that there are hundreds of players out there who will vouch with me on this ...

Let's read the facts on this forum and cut out the crap talk ... otherwise prove to the contrary

Keep going Hugh , your doing a grand job
William

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I can say on my part that rather than Lubabalo, I can easy give you another 5-6 names of players, whom participation here can make signficiant changes in "top 3" zone, have impact and potentially change an outcome: Richard Hallet, Richard Beckwith, Larry Keen, William Docherty, Hugh Devlin, Mustafa Durdyev, Rawle Allicock. I didn't mention also inactive Ed Bruch and Richard Pask.

So ... with or without Lubabalo or any of these guys, we don't ruin anything in Ireland this year. It is almost impossible and unrealistic to beleive that some year all of them can showup. But we can obviously confirm that this year we have much stronger overturn than in previous 3-moves QT, thats for sure !

The best should win !

Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev

[tommyc]

1/The MSSA run a series of provincial championships each year, and the winners of these go forward to represent their provinces at national championships. The players who finish highest in these national championships are those eligible to represent South Africa on behalf of MSSA. That is in keeping with national sports policy in South Africa………………………..

Then why have the MSSA not sent any player to represent them .????

2/ I was accused of being biased in favour of my “friend” Colin Webster…………

And you didn’t use your good offices as WCDF President to try effect a settlement in the good name of Draughts?/>> Why?/

3/
I complained to Alan Millhone about this abuse on 12th Feb 2008 thus; “P.S. I also note the derogatory and insulting remarks posted on the ACF Forum by Tommy Canning regarding “the Kondlo Affair” and I have to ask how this has been allowed to remain on a public forum and not censored by you or your team. Accusing someone of racism (without a shred of evidence) on a public forum is defamation of character and normally dealt with through the courts in Europe.”

Again setting yourself up as defender of Webster and not a word about the real victim in all of this namely Lubablo Kondlo? How come??

4/ In contrast I had hard evidence to back up Colin’s claims. …………

Yes !!!you had and all such evidence came from Colin Webster?? If you have evidence which came from Lubabo Kondlo which states that he is the guilty party ,then im sure everyone would like to see it.

5/You can either accept evidance, or ignore it…………..

Where is this evidence that you speak of??

6/As a result of this Alan Millhone and myself agreed to disagree on these issues. While I have the highest respect for Alan, and fully supportive of his leadership and organisational skills, I do admit that we have failed to agree on this singular issue.

While Alan Millhone didn’t disagree with anything thing I said in relation to this topic I presume he agrees with my line and its good to see you have, as you put it, “have the highest respect for Alan “…….which is something of a contradiction.

7/ This is not good for the game of checkers nor checker organisations when this type of picture is presented to the World. Its one of the reasons I rarely look at this forum, it can be so derogatory and depressing at times……………………

This forum is a place for debate and everyone is entitled to an opinion if that phases the “closed shop” way you do business then so be it.


8/ I would therefore address this to Alan Millhone and Tommy Canning and I asking that they collaborate these claims of wrong-doing by providing some evidence or withdraw them in the name of decency……………………

Decency??...I don’t see any decency in depriving one of the best players in the World the opportunity to play his game at the highest level.

9/he dn’t know for sure what happened in the end, but he did proceed to furnish me with numerous Emails between himself, Lubabulo Kondlo, and others, that were exchanged in the weeks prior to the Qualifiers at the Isle of Wight. They show a very different story than the accusations made by Alan Millhone.

P.S……….Lets see all these facts and all the”investigative evidence”you purport to have,then,and only then,can any assessment be truly made.

Tommy Canning

[Colin Webster]

@ Tommy Canning

Pleased be advised that I reserve all my rights.

In fact, I demand an apology.

It is indeed a pity that people who should be more aware sound off before knowing all the facts.

[tommyc]

Then perhaps you can give us all the facts??

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Then perhaps you can give us all the facts??

Fact #1. I think the main fact is that Lubabalo Kondlo had in the past conflict with his own federation and government.

Fact #2. You took sides in this conflict.

Fact #3. To the best of my knowledges as of today this particular conflict has been resolved.

Fact #4. It is more likely that SA didn't send anyone to 2008, 2009 & 2010 QT's due to financial problems.

Fact #5. In 2007-2008 Lubabalo Kondlo had a sponsor and traveled, in 2010 he doesn't have a sponsor and don't travel. Do you want to sponsor him or other SA representative in 2012 ?

Fact #6. I agree with John Acker that this forum shall not be associated with ACF which puts a big shadow on American players. Another "neutral" domain for this forum would be an appropriate thing.

Fact#7. Many American strong and/or young players live on very limited and fixed income and can't travel much (or at all) and participate in International or even local events (gas and hotel are still nt for free in USA). Should we help them first rather than looking talents abroad ???

Respectfully

Alex Moiseyev

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I learned recently, that two Italy oustanding players including Michelle Borgetti, Italian Draughts ex-world Champion and Jack Francis who recently scored more wins than anyone else in the USA Open ACF 3-moves National, will attend.

In this case in my eyes any predictions here will be a clear gambling

I am glad to see that my Irish friends did a great job for setting things right.

In addition, many thanks to WCDF who works hard for all of us and don't leave anyone behind.

Good luck to everyone.

Respectfully,

AM

[tommyc]

Hi Jan .........further to your enquiry about the ladies QT in Dublin,my info is that Amangul will play in the QT.

[kiwinurse]

Thanks Tommy

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Two outstanding players were endorsed by WCDF to play in 3-moves QT this year: Ron King from Barbados and Amangul Durdyeva from Turkmenistan, both - current world champions. This gives me a hope that some day if I decide to play in GAYP QT, I will not capture a spot for American players.

In Beijing Amangul finished 11th among 42 players, scored above 50% points and placed well above many masters.

I have very small doubts that she will do all her best to win a challenger rights this time.

Alex

[tommyc]

Jan ,.....some posters may have misunderstood my post on the ladies QT.................my info to date is that Amangul will play in the ladies section of the QT.

Tommy Canning IDA PRO.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

my info to date is that Amangul will play in the ladies section of the QT.

My info is different up to date. She will play in main event.

Alex

[Ingo_Zachos]

Tommy,

the WCDF invited Amagul Durdyeva to play in the "open" section, as a nominee of the WCDF.

It would be a chance for her to show how good a woman can do in an open field, and as Alex said, she did well in Beijing, though I have the impression that given her age and her discipline, improvement is possible.

Jan, I don't know if Amangul already accepted that, but on the other hand it is a greater challange for her.
To be honest, the rules do not strictly forbid her to enter, but they also do not explain what would happen if she wins the women's QT.
Especially, if the results against her would or would not count to determine the challenger.


I hope that this decision is wise enough, as it does two things:
1. secures a fair women's QT. May the best woman win!
2. shows that we do not regard women's checkers to be inferior. May the best player win!

Greetinx from Germany after midnight,

Ingo Zachos

[kiwinurse]

There is nothing to stop any woman playing in the main qualifier if she is representing her country,and i personally dont see the sense of a woman playing in the womens event if she is the reigning champion.So good luck to Amangul,for the main event