Joy erupted among chess fraternity when the news of K.V. Krishna Karthik, the young chess player down with a peculiar orthopaedic disorder, packing his bags for his dream trip to Glasgow (Scotland) to take part in the Commonwealth Games chess tournament which begins this month-end.
Sports administrators, chess players and educational institutes joined hands to drive home the importance of ‘team work’ in achieving common goals.
Thanks to Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutes, which pitched in with Rs. one lakh, both Karthik and his coach Sk. Khasim will take wings from Hyderabad to Glasgow on June 27 for the event which would feature the best talent from Commonwealth countries. “We are happy for our role in fulfilling Karthik’s dream. I wish him all the best and hope he will return with a medal,” said Dr. B.S. Rao, chairman of Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutes on Tuesday.
Reacting to story published in these columns on June 2 – ‘This chess player seeks helping hand’ – ACA general secretary Gokaraju Ganga Raju sanctioned Rs. 50,000 and parents and friends of city chess players pooled up Rs. 1.30 lakh towards the noble sporting cause.
Sri Chaitanya’s timely gesture came as ‘icing on the cake’ helping Karthik to take up his maiden international tournament. “I am really thrilled by the gesture of all those who came forward to help Karthik. He will be playing against the talented GMs in the tournament as a wild card,” says Sk. Khasim of Global Chess Academy.
The 27-year-old Karthik is a victim failed nervous system that forced him lose his vision (right eye) and his head hardly stays on the shoulders – wobbling continuously - owing to detachment of an optical nerve.
Karthik (Elo 1930), is one among three players from AP-Telangana States, who was invited to play along with top players at the prestigious CWG. The organisers have promised to take care of his (Karthik) stay and food expenses. Karthik is also invited by the organisers of the World Chess Championship at Siberia in November.
“Karthik is a talented player but his disorder has become a blockade in seeking as job. We will approach both the Central government and the new State government to help him settle down with a job,” said academy president Rajendra Prasad.
