AICF's Nitin Narang Rolls Out INR 65 Cr Budget to Boost Bharatiya Chess

 

Mumbai: The 'All-India Chess Federation' (AICF) has unveiled a significant initiative to revolutionize Indian chess by rolling out an ambitious budget of INR 65 crores aimed at propelling Indian chess to new heights. The newly elected AICF President Nitin Narang spearheaded the launch of these initiatives, which focus on providing comprehensive support to both professional and grassroots-level players, fostering a broader chess culture, and delivering on the vision of "Har Ghar Chess".

During the general body meeting of 'AICF', various proposals were discussed, including the establishment of a chess development fund, the launch of the AICF Pro program for national-level players, and the introduction of player contracts to provide financial backing. The initiatives also focus on setting up a 'National Chess Arena' (NCA) for elite-level training and creating an AICF-specific Indian rating system to support the development of the Indian chess ecosystem.

Key Initiatives:
AICF Pro Program: Contracts for 42 national-level players across different age groups, with financial support ranging from INR 20,000 to INR 50,000. This program aims to provide direct support to players and encourage grassroots initiatives like 'Meet the Champions'.

AICF Popular Program: This initiative aims to bring chess into every household, emphasizing inclusivity and focusing on women, seniors, and at-risk youth.

Support for State Associations: AICF commits to financially supporting state associations with up to INR 15 lakhs over three years, alongside capacity building initiatives like seminars on governance and sponsorship.

Cash Rewards for Top 20 Chess Players: Rewards for the top 10 male and female players based on FIDE rankings, with the top five each receiving INR 25,00,000 and those ranked 6th to 10th receiving INR 12,50,000.

Women in Chess: Expansion of the Smart Girl Program with a minimum of 50 annual events and a 33% reservation for women in key areas such as coach certification and participation in AICF events.

Corporate Chess League: A new initiative allowing corporates to host AICF-rated tournaments, encouraging corporate engagement in chess.

Social Initiatives: Programs designed to drive social change through chess, including the Wheelchair Chess Program, Checkmate Dementia for senior citizens, and other initiatives targeting tribal communities and at-risk youth.

National Chess Awards and Development Conference: An event to recognize outstanding coaches and players while fostering collaboration and dialogue among chess industry leaders.

Chess Development Fund: The fund will support initiatives such as trainer training programs and outreach efforts. It aims to promote chess in schools and provide resources for female players and other social segments.

Remarks from Nitin Narang:
Nitin Narang emphasized the importance of addressing four key challenges in Indian chess: integrating chess into school curricula, introducing chess e-learning, identifying and nurturing talent, and strengthening grassroots academies. These initiatives aim to create a holistic environment for chess in India, addressing socioeconomic barriers and fostering both excellence and inclusivity.

The new initiatives represent a significant commitment to advancing chess in India, with a strong focus on player development, inclusivity, and sustainability. Through this extensive program, AICF seeks to revolutionize the Indian chess ecosystem, nurturing talent from grassroots to elite levels, and making chess a household activity across the nation.