Lack of sponsors hit chess tournaments

Kozhikode:

Lack of sponsorship has been preventing India from hosting more number of international chess championships, despite it receiving bids for major events. "While our country has been able to win several international bids, unfortunately we don't find sufficient sponsors to conduct the mega tournaments," FIDE vice-president P T Ummer Koya has said here last night. The world youth Olympiad and world junior championship will be held in the country in July and September this year. But the All India Chess Federation (AICF) is yet to identify a state for sponsoring the games. "With an eye on promoting tourism alongside sports, Goa hosted the world juniors last year by releasing a grant of Rs 50 lakh, but barring states like Andhra (Pradesh) and Gujarat, we don't find anyone willing to sponsor international events," Koya added. However, the Kerala Government will be approached soon to conduct the two international championships during the year as the state had now distinguished itself by organising a series of nationals, besides the Asian women tournament during the year bygone. (PTI)