“I think this is going to be a golden era for sports in the State”
World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand, who successfully defended his title by defeating challenger Boris Gelfand last week, on Wednesday expressed his willingness to lend his support to the Tamil Nadu government's scheme to introduce chess in schools.
After calling on Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at the Secretariat along with his wife Aruna, the champion told reporters that if the State government needed his help, he would be delighted to provide it.
Emphasising the need for assistance of the corporate sector too in this endeavour, he said the kind of institutional support from the State government and the inclusion of chess in the schools was giving a “very firm foundation” to the future of chess in the State. The involvement of the corporate sector would take the game to the higher level. “I think this is going to be a golden era for sports in Tamil Nadu.”
Anand, who received a cheque for Rs. 2 crore from the Chief Minister, expressed the hope that the introduction of chess for school students from the age group of seven to 17 would produce great chess players. Referring to the State's plan of introducing the game in 32,000 clubs which he had discussed with her, Anand said the State government was putting up all infrastructure and “I believe within a couple of years, it will be fully operational.”
On his meeting with Ms. Jayalalithaa, he termed it “very, very nice” and thanked her for the cash award. She was well informed of the details of the match, he added.
The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu has brought out a publication, describing him as the “Pride of Chennai — The Greatest Chess Player,” and praising him for bringing an “Anand Wave” to inspire more Indians take to the game.
Keywords: Viswanathan Anand, World Chess Champion, felicitations, Jayalalithaa-Anand meet, Tamil Nadu government's scheme, Chess Academy
It is however a monumental shame in Tamilnadu that Anand got less reception than
Raja or Kanimozhi
Recognition to Mr.Anand & to sports other than Cricket was long time due. He is a world champion but not recognized like our cricketing legends. He thoroughly deserves the amount. Even local IPL players earn millions every year. And this Rs.2 Crore has come after winning World Chess Championship five times... he is not getting money every year..and may be this is the first time he is getting. So kindly refrain from commenting on the cash incentive.
Anand played enough and earned enough.It is right time for him to retire with this greatest achievment.He should strive hard to help India to retain this world leadership in Chess for Eternity.There is no point in going for games to earn money.Stop playing for money or prize any more.Start an Indian Chess Academy like in Russia and see that Indians are trained to come up like him in world tournament to retain his captaincy.He should give way to others to excel him.He should not monopolize the game for him alone.The Country watches how honestly he strive to train fellow indians to gain mastery in Chess like him.He should organise Chess Academy in all the States in the Country and see that all Indians are well trained in Chess playing. No more honours or laurels.He earned enough.Help others to come up like him.Don't be selfish.India should proud of Chess.Indians should excel in Chess like him to keep this honour for India permanent.Honour for India is more important and vital than him/his
This is really pride for the Tamils and evident of Tamil Talent and Power!
Viswanathan Anand is pride of every Indian and even more Tamil vaasis. Keep the Indian flag flying Anand. He deserves to get all the rewards being given to him for his achievements.
Achievements by persons of the forward class are never recognized in a state which thinks that Dravidian values begin with denigrating the forward class. If Mr Anand's name was 'A Raja', Mr Sathyamurthi will be praising and defending him to the skies.
Anand is a great man. He is very balanced and sober despite his greatness. He is a universal man and not confined to Tamilnadu though he was born in Tamilnadu. He never got the encouragement which the top most cricketeers in India got. Still, he kept his cool. Chess is not all for him. He is a family man devoted to his parents. He knows what to do with the money that he gets from various sources. He is aware of the plight of the poor in TN, the plight of the elderly in TN and also the plight of the Cancer patients and also the plight of those afflicted with life threatening diseases. He will do what is good for Tamilnadu, his native State. He does not need anyone's advice. Jayalalitha need not regret. We need more young men with character like Anand.
Most of the sports in our country are under the control of
independent Sports Bodies. The Government can encourage sports by
providing substantial grants to these Bodies for building modern
infra structures for spotting real talents and for providing them top
class training. Payment of some stipend also to such talented youths
would be an encouragement for them to take training programmes
seriously. Only in this manner, our country can cultivate and bring
forth sportsmen of international standards. That is what all well
developed countries are doing now and as a result, invariably reaping
rich dividends in international sports arenas. Rewarding individuals
for their excellence in any field of sport is a recognition of their
outstanding achievements. It is entirely a different matter and if we
were to consider it as a positive way to develop sports, we will be
stuck where we are now. Mr.Anand is the world chess champion and he
does not require any monetary 'incentives'. Why should he?
Anand is the World Champion since 2007. It was quite sad to see the
previous chief minister ignore Anand completely. All that Amma is doing
is recognizing Anand for his victory in 2012, and also compensating for
the state government ignoring him from 2007-2011. It is sad that
various readers are criticizing the cash award without taking this into
account.
Anand is a consummate skilled player for a difficult game like Chess. And He has been winning the Champion Title Over and over again.I wish him all success and hope that he would bring some sort of educational system into the schools for such games.
Anand, please build and maintain a few Toilets in School.
It will be of great help.
The stern faces of both Jaya and Vishy in the photo make it appear they
are in the middle of a title match themselves! Only Aruna seems to be
having a jolly good time! Congrats Vishy, and well done Jayalalitha!
It is overwhelming, and a nice gesture to honor India's greatest Chess
champion - also one of all-time greatest Chess champions of the world.
Well done CM for the timely honor.
We wish many more years of success and grace for Vishy Anand.
Congratulations to Mr. Viswanathan Anand. I pray to God to give him
mental strength to fulfill his mission and hold the top position till
his last breath.
It is hard to understand why people question the monetary incentive
for Mr. Vishwanathan Anand. Why is there such a huge cry then when
hockey players are rewarded poorly ? Ms. Jayalalithaa has in fact
magnified the effect of his victory in the state. There is no better
opportunity to promote the sport than when you have a world champion.
Even if Mr. Anand loses in future, he will be a legend. It is not fair
to argue that the poor may be benefited from this money. When a guy
has worked hard for decades and is in a position where he is, he is
entitled to be treated like a champion. The government needs to
address all kinds of issues and recognizing achievements in a sport
other than cricket is an issue too. Kudos to the state government.
For all the criticism for awarding Anand 2 crores, need to understand the money, time and effort spent to become a professional in a sporting field. He stays in Spain and he has to bear the expenses of having a support team. I however, request the CM to support budding sportsperson from other fields to pursue excellence.
Its good that Anand has won the chess for the fifth time & this time in the speed round.Anand deserves more credit than any other sports person as he has brought glory to him & to the nation.Other games like cricket has lot of viewership & sponsership & encourgement by the press & media & the government.The reward given by the state government not only encourage Anand, but also other people of India.Winner should always be encourged irrespective of the other escuses.In other sports also winner if the internatioal level is encourged by awards by the government.This award should be viewed only the encouragement dole to the person & to the particular sport.
What tamilnadu govt has given as prize money to anand is very less when compared to what he contributed for the country in terms of name & fame and inspiring several thousands of sports persons in india.He worked tirelessly over the years to break the russian and europian domination and stamp india's name in chess.He did the state and the country proud not for this 2 crore rupees. I remember when anand was struggling hard in chess those earlier days, when he won a laptop,he had to pay customs duty to bring it to chennai. Anand is not a wealthy man at all by birth. Each and every money is hard earned.When cine actors,IPL players gets in crores by just playing in one IPL and not even for the country,and gets in advts as well, what govt has paid to anand is very less for his achievments which no other sports man in the country can surpass for another 500 years.
He is the right recipient for Bharat Ratna
Congratulations Mr.Anand. We will proud of you. Hands off!!!!!!!
Congratulations.Greater moment of pride for all Indians.Fed up of hearing all the time cricket news.Govt. must concentrate to promote Chess and Hockey where there is huge potential to earn the country's name.Billions are spent on cricket.Even if we spend only 10% od thison the promotion of these two games we can get better name and results V.Anand deserves Rajyasabha seat and even Bharat Ratna.
Ms.Jayalalitha is good and sensible administrator.It's a bold move to introduce chess in the state.State should also make sports as an compulsory subject from which a healthy invidual is turned out, which inturn makes India Healthy.
Anand is a wealthy man. I don't think he needs the Rs 2 crores from the TN government. Isn't there a way for the state to recognize his achievement without a monetary attachment? I am sure Rs 2 crores will buy lots of meals and books for the poor in TN.
Introducing chess out of the blue because Anand won a championship is ludicrous.
When he loses tomorrow, will it affect the 'anand wave?'
Looks like government works like a stock market.
Games and sports should be part of the training even if there are no champions. You
cannot create champions the way you are suggesting. Anand did not become one
through 'Government initiatives'
Tamils are the worlds proudest people today.Winning the grand chess championship is a feat no other state in India would ever achieve or dream off. Since it took a tamil to win the championship, its like Tamil Nadu has won the soccer world cup beating,"imaginary" favourites like Bengal, Gujurat, Karnataka, Delhi, Orissa, Punjab and the world. With anand's victory,Tamils today has become a global BRAND name. Tamils have been put in the world map and tamils are synonymous to BRAINS and intellectual prowness.'
It exciting and excellent news that chess would be incorporated in schools in Tamil Nadu.Chess should be made the national sport of the state of Tamil Nadu.With the tamils DNA we can look confidently forward to the future with Tamils emerging as grand champions again and again and again.This traditional monopoly of the russians can be broken with the emergence of the Tamils.Tamils brainpower has been globally recognised since time immemorial and Tamil Nadu has all it takes
Happy to see CM, Tamil Nadu presenting a cq for two crores rupees to Anand Viswanathan and his assurance to spread chess mindedness in TN Schools. I am now in Dallas,TX,USA. Surprised to see many students here from five yrs playing chess-including two of my grandsons- as per International Rules. Most of the schools encourages chess. Students ranking is officially recorded by US Chess Federation and updated on each chess contests. Recognised experts, coach students. Students play in computers chess games. Students write moves as notations. Besides it developes concentration/memory for students.
Wonderful if chess is spread well in TN.
Mr.Anand is a great Chess Player and he is now the Supremo in the
chess world. As the reigning Chess champion, he brought fame and
honour for his country. But he is a professional and for all his
appearances before the Chess Board, he receives fabulous amounts
which, no doubt, he deserves. But the point is whether it is
necessary for the Chief Minister of Tamilnad to present him with a
cash reward of two crores of rupees from the government exchequer in
recognition of his successful retention of his title of the world
championship? When the government is in severe financial crunch,
facing tight situations for meeting the exigencies of essential
public services, donating public money without proper legislative
appropriation as rewards to professional sportsmen when they are not
in dire need of any such succour from government is highly
questionable. Why should the government think of enriching the rich?
Taxpayers' money is meant for the betterment of the people and not
for prodigality.
Please Email the Editor