Itanagar: “Chess is a gift to the world from India,” Governor Lieutenant General (Retired) K.T. Parnaik said, even as he emphasised that chess should be promoted in schools, colleges and universities across Arunachal Pradesh.
“It is a mind game, not a game of luck or time pass. It is said that one learns more by losing,” he said, while recalling great Indian grandmasters like Vishwanathan Anand.
Parnaik was speaking on the concluding day of the 34th Vidya Bharati National Sports Festival 2023-24 National Chess Championship at Abotani Vidya Niketan, Pachin Colony in Naharlagun on Monday.
The three-day tournament under the supervision of arbiters from All India Chess Federation was participated by 230 chess players, including 110 girls of 77 schools from 22 States. The Vidya Bharati Sports Council of Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan organized the competition.
While highlighting the importance of the tournament and Chess in particular and sharing his experience, the Governor said that playing chess helps the persons in problem solving capacities, ability for planning, enhancing memory power and management skill, multi-tasking and creative thinking. He said that all these qualities are required in our daily life.
He suggested use of a screen like that in international events, so that spectators also can watch the moves and learn from it.
Parnaik emphasized that chess should be promoted in schools, colleges and universities of the State. He urged the concerned authorities to take the responsibility in popularizing Chess in Arunachal Pradesh and make Arunachal Pradesh a powerhouse of games and sports.
The Governor presented the awards to the winners. In under 14 years, the team from Rashtrotthana Vidya Kendra, Thanisandra, Bengaluru was the winner amongst the boys, while in the girls section, the team from Saraswati HSS Vidhya Colony, Pinoura Umaria, Madhya Pradesh was winner. In under 17 years, GK Shetty Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Ambattur, Chennai was the winner amongst boys, while the girls team of Jaigopal Garodia Rashtrotthana Vidya Kendra, Bengaluru was the winner. In under 19 years, the team from SRDK Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Thiruvortriyur was the winner in boys section, while Smt. Ramkumar Devi Fomra Vivekananda Vidhyalaya, Chennai were winners amongst girls.
Arunachal Pradesh Sports and Youth Affairs Minister , Mama Natung, highlighted the initiative of the State Government in promoting games and sports and youth activities. He said that very soon Arunachal Pradesh will be Sporting Power House, while informing about achievements of sportspersons of the State.
