Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 1: South Asian Chess Championship, being organised by All J&K Chess Association commenced at Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, Channi Himmat, here today.
Around 430 players and 200 coaches, managers and officials are participating in it. Players from Nepal and Bangladesh are also taking part in this event, while players from Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan did not come even after sending their entries due to Kashmir unrest. Players from 28 States of India are participating in this event.
Earlier, Sunil Kumar Sharma, Minister of State for Transport, Youth Services and Sports declared open the Championship alongwith Danesh Rana, IGP Jammu. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Joint Secretary, J&K Sports was the special guest on the occasion.
While speaking, Minister said that these kind of championships will go a along way in channelizing the energies of the youth in right direction.
IGP Jammu Danesh Rana, Joint Secretary Sports Council Shiv Kumar Sharma and Rajan Sharma, Divisional Sports Officer Jammu also expressed their views.
Atul Kumar Gupta, President All J&K Chess association informed that due to Kashmir unrest about 50 foreign players cancelled their plans to come for this first ever mega event and as per queries about 1000 players might participate if situation would have been peaceful in J&K.
General Secretary of the Association Ashiq Ahmad, Senior Vice President AR Wani, Vice Presidents Baldev Raj and Taranveer Singh, Press Secretary Kuljeet Jamwal, Organising Secretary Vikas Nanda, Treasurer Khalid Amin, Advisors Dr AS Bhatia and Raj Kumar were also present on the occasion.
Fourteen professional arbiters are working for smooth conduct of this event, while Srivatsan R has been appointed by Asian Federation as Chief Arbiter.
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