 "Tania Sachdev is the eighth woman chess grandmaster from India. Image: Tania Sachdev on X")
FIDE International Master and woman chess grandmaster Tania Sachdev slammed the Delhi government Monday for its failure to recognize her achievements in chess. Tania Sachdev, who is the eighth woman chess grandmaster from India, added that supporting and celebrating the achievements of sportspersons helps a state in inspiring “excellence and motivate talent”.
Arjuna awardee Tania Sachdev was part of the Indian women’s team that created history earlier this year by winning a first-ever gold medal at the Chess Olympiad . The other members of the team were Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali R, Divya Deshmukh, and Vantika Agarwal. The 38-year-old Tania Sachdev also won bronze with Team India in the 2022 Olympiad.
“Having played for India since 2008 It’s disheartening to see a lack of recognition from the Delhi government for achievements in chess. States that support and celebrate their champions, directly inspire excellence and motivate talent. Sadly, Delhi has yet to take this step.” the world No. 53 and India No.5 Tania Sachdev wrote on X.
She also urged Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena and national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal to show more support towards chess athletes.
“In 2022 Chess Olympiad I came back with a historic team bronze and an individual medal. Two years later 2024, the historic Chess Olympic gold, and till date there has been no acknowledgment or recognition by the state govt. As someone who proudly represents Delhi and India, I hope @AamAadmiParty @AtishiAAP ma’am @ArvindKejriwal sir see value in supporting their chess athletes.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsTania Sachdev’s comments come amid Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin handed Rs 5 crore prize money reward to D Gukesh for winning the World Chess Championship 2024. A roadshow was also organized in Chennai to celebrate Gukesh’s historic chess world title win.
Gukesh, 18, is the youngest chess world champion of all time.
At the felicitation ceremony, CM Stalin also announced that a Home of Chess Academy will be established in Tamil Nadu to encourage “the talent and to groom achievers”