Abhijeet Gupta Calls for Accountability in Indian Chess After Prize Money Dispute: A Conversation on Athlete Treatment and Transparency
Title: Arjuna Awardee Abhijeet Gupta Sparks Outcry Over Unpaid Prize Money in Indian Chess
NEW DELHI: In a striking revelation that has ignited a nationwide conversation about the treatment of athletes in India, Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta, the first Indian to clinch five Commonwealth Chess Championship titles, has publicly expressed his frustration over unpaid prize money from the Odisha GM Open held in January 2026. The prestigious event, which concluded on January 24, featured a total prize pool of Rs 25 lakh, with Gupta securing the top position and a promised reward of Rs 5.5 lakh.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Gupta shared his ordeal, detailing how initial assurances from the tournament organizers quickly turned into silence. “At that time, I was told by the organiser, ‘Your prize money will be transferred in a couple of weeks, so please don’t hassle… we are very busy,'” Gupta recounted in an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com. However, weeks turned into months, and after multiple follow-ups, communication ceased altogether.
The 36-year-old chess prodigy, who was honored with the Arjuna Award by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2013, emphasized that this issue extends beyond his personal finances. “I’m already at that stage of my career where money doesn’t matter much. But imagine if some 10-year-old wins his first prize and doesn’t get it. What kind of precedent are we setting?” Gupta lamented, highlighting the potential impact on the next generation of Indian chess players.
Gupta’s concerns also extend to the All India Chess Federation (AICF), which he believes shares responsibility for ensuring accountability in tournaments affiliated with the national body. Despite reaching out to AICF’s President and Secretary multiple times since March, Gupta has yet to receive a response.
In light of his social media outcry, Gupta has called upon the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to intervene, demanding transparency and the protection of the “dignity and trust of every chess player in India.” His post has resonated widely, drawing attention to the systemic issues faced by athletes in the country.
Following the uproar, AICF President Nitin Narang reached out to Gupta, assuring him that necessary actions are being initiated. Gupta shared this development on X, stating, “The President of the All India Chess Federation, @narangnitin ji, called me and assured me that the necessary action has been initiated.”
As the chess community rallies around Gupta’s call for accountability, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by athletes in India, particularly those at the grassroots level. The conversation sparked by Gupta’s experience may pave the way for much-needed reforms in the treatment of sports professionals across the nation.
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