Meusa reverses decision to withdraw
—But GCF says it’s too late
Candidate Master, Wendell Meusa has now stated he is willing to represent Guyana but was told by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) it is too late to reverse his decision.
Meusa, who recently won the National Chess championships, had written the GCF indicating that he was withdrawing from the Guyana team to contest the 44th Olympiad in India next month.
The GCF, acting on this information had named Ethan Lee as his replacement.
Meusa told this publication yesterday and showed an e-mail correspondence to GCF President Frankie Farley, which indicated that he would like to maintain his position in the team.
The correspondence was dated June 13, 2022.
The correspondence also stated that the decision to withdraw came due to family commitments clashing with the time of the tournament.
“My Grandmother is travelling out the jurisdiction in August so I wouldn’t have anyone to keep my children… however, my aunt has decided to take up the challenge and support me so I could go,” Meusa told this publication.
“I’m willing to play for Guyana, pay any late fees, it’s not too late and I’ve earned my spot,” he added.
“He [Meusa] did send a letter of apology to our president last evening, however the changes were made since Saturday and it wouldn’t be ethical to go back to the organizer to change the position as it is so it was already submitted and it’s a done deal,” said GCF Tournament Director Irshad Mohammed.
Mohammed pointed out that the GCF and himself, personally, were very disappointed that Meusa chose to withdraw from the team because this would have been the strongest team they would have fielded at the event.
The GCF had indicated in a recent press release that Farley was next in line to replace Meusa but declined and therefore the opportunity was given to junior player, Ethan Lee “to participate and learn from the experience.”
Lee finished seventh in the Grand Prix, behind Farley.