AICF Announces Rs 3.2 Crore Rewards for Indian Chess Olympiad Winners

Indian Chess Teams Rewarded Rs 3.2 Crore for Historic 45th Olympiad Win

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) made headlines on Wednesday as they announced a massive reward of Rs 3.2 crore for the Indian teams that secured gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad. The felicitation ceremony, held in New Delhi, saw AICF president Nitin Narang revealing the generous rewards for the players and coaches.

Each player from the winning teams will receive Rs 25 lakh, while the coaches of the men’s and women’s teams, Abhijeet Kunte and Srinath Narayanan, will be rewarded with Rs 15 lakh each. Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, head of the Indian delegation, will receive Rs 10 lakh, and the assistant coaches will be rewarded Rs 7.5 lakh.

During the event, AICF president Narang expressed his pride in the teams’ achievements, stating, “The hunger for gold ended in Hungary, but the desire for success continues. In the open section we dominated and in women’s section we owned it.” He also credited the success to the legacy of Vishwanathan Anand, saying, “Our players are sharp shooters on the chessboard. The seeds planted by Vishwanathan Anand have grown into a forest.”

AICF secretary general Dev A Patel echoed Narang’s sentiments, emphasizing the historic significance of India’s twin gold medals at the Chess Olympiad. “In 97 years of Chess Olympiad, we won gold in both categories. It’s a historic achievement,” said Patel, adding that this success will inspire a new generation of chess players in the country.

The Indian teams made history at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, with the men’s team led by D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa securing victory over Slovenia in the final round. Gukesh’s stellar performance, winning 10 out of 11 rounds, played a crucial role in India’s triumph.

On the women’s side, D Harika, Tania Sachdev, and R Vaishali clinched the gold by defeating Azerbaijan in a tense final. The achievement was lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally congratulated the champions for their dedication and impact on Indian sports.

The rewards announced by AICF not only recognize the players and coaches for their outstanding performance but also serve as a testament to the growing success and popularity of chess in India. The historic win at the Chess Olympiad is expected to spark a new wave of enthusiasm among chess enthusiasts and aspiring players across the country.