Q: Can disaffiliation of sports associations cause hurdles for Indian sportspersons’ participation in the international sports events?
A: As per my knowledge and experience, it will not affect any game. Interestingly, our Chess Association is not a member of Indian Olympic Association. Moreover, there is no chess game championship taking place in any part of the world. The prestigious Chess Olympiad which was planned to be organised in Russia this year has been postponed due to the Corona pandemic. As on today, lots of chess activities are not taking place, so I don’t think it will hamper any game. This is a temporary phase. This postponing is not only happening for chess but also for entire games. Last month, we along with 15 sports federations, met Union Sports Minister Kiran Rijiju on this court issue of disaffiliation. I hope this is a political issue which will be resolved within a month. So, there’s nothing to worry about the participation of Indian sportspersons internationally.
Q: What is the future of online concepts in indoor and outdoor sports?
A: Technology will play an important role in future. Yes, there will be some challenges in all the games to handle. Some Asian, European championships have already planned to conduct online concepts in sports. To continue life in sports, we have to adjust ourselves accordingly to outdoor games like cricket, hockey, football, etc. Now, with the innovation, invention and introduction of online championship, the spectators can view from home itself. We have already planned for an online national championship in India. It will benefit the local talents to initiate from block, district, state and reach up to national level. We are even searching some computer labs statewise (under the supervision of arbitrators) where we can establish 2-3 chess centres in big states and one centre in a small state respectively. We have a big team, now we are waiting for the green signal from the Indian government, after that we’ll execute and conduct online National Chess Championship,
Q: How do you acknowledge contributions of chess legends like Viswanathan Anand, Koneru Humpy and Parimarjan Negi towards the game?
A: Viswanathan Anand is the iconic figure of Indian chess and his contribution is invaluable. Those who are not following the game also know the name of this legend which itself vouch for his status in India. It’s commendable to place on record that, in a cricket crazy nation, Anand was the first recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest sports honour in the country. If I come to Humpy, she is the flag bearer of women chess in the country. If you are looking at an inspirational story in the world of chess, it is definitely Koneru Humpy. After two years of break from competitive chess, she is back where she belongs- world No. 2 with three huge titles before the pandemic. It all began with Skolkovo Women’s Grand Prix, followed by the World Rapid Championship title and Cairns Cup 2020. What more we ask from Humpy. If I come to the younger generation, Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi showed the world that India started producing young talents and now youngsters like Nihal Sarin, Praggnannandha, Gukesh etc, following the suit to make India superpower in chess. It is pertinent to mention that just two days back India got its 66th Grandmaster in G. Akash.
Q: As chess sports administrator, how do you contribute in promoting, creating opportunities for talented chess players?
A: My association with the game is of more than four decades. I started chess as a player and now an administrator. I put my whole hearted efforts for development of the game, which is due to the passion I have towards the game. As an administrator, it has been through many relentless efforts of the All India Chess Federation that chess today is looked upon as a career sport in the minds of the parents, the opinion leaders of bright young children. We have 66 Grandmasters in the country and most of them have achieved this title in recent years. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand is the flag bearer of Indian chess and there are many more youngsters who are vying to take top positions in world rankings. Overall, as the administrators, lovers and promoters of chess, it’s been a satisfying journey for us and we are now working to make India the number one chess playing nation in the world.
The interviewer is the Bureau Chief of ‘Himalini’, founder of Creative World Media Academy and has written two books on media education.
