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In a landmark announcement, the All India Chess Federation declared an impressive reward of ₹3.2 crore for the triumphant Indian teams that clinched victories at the historic 45th Chess Olympiad. This momentous event took place during a felicitation ceremony held on September 25, 2024.
During the ceremony, AICF President Nitin Narang revealed that each player from the victorious teams will be awarded ₹25 lakh, while team captains Abhijeet Kunte and Srinath Narayanan will receive ₹15 lakh each.
Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, who led the Indian delegation, will be honored with ₹10 lakh, and the assistant coaches will receive ₹7.5 lakh.
“The hunger for gold ended in Hungary, but our drive for success persists. We showcased dominance in the open section and excelled in the women’s section,” remarked President Narang during the ceremony.
AICF Secretary General Dev A Patel emphasized the significance of the twin gold medals, stating it will catalyze a chess revolution in India. “In the 97-year history of the Chess Olympiad, we achieved gold in both categories—a truly historic accomplishment,” Patel noted.
This achievement promises to inspire chess enthusiasts across the nation, with hopes to leverage this momentum to nurture the next generation of chess talent.
India etched its name in history at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, securing gold medals in both the men’s and women’s categories—a first for the nation. The men’s team, featuring prodigies like D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa, displayed remarkable skill, dispatching Slovenia in the final round.
Gukesh emerged as the standout performer, winning 10 out of 11 rounds and leading India to a phenomenal total of 21 out of 22 points.
The women’s team, captained by D Harika, Tania Sachdev, and R Vaishali, clinched their gold after a hard-fought victory against Azerbaijan in the finals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his personal congratulations to the champions, commending their unwavering dedication and significant impact on the Indian sports landscape.
Published – September 26, 2024 02:58 am IST
