“I am going to write to the Union Sports Ministry about (the) AICF’s attitude towards Humpy for we have decided to take the conflict with the All India Chess Federation to its logical end,” said Dronacharya Koneru Ashok, who is Koneru Humpy’s father-cum-coach at a press conference here on Sunday.
“We are getting offers from different countries to settle there and play chess although we would love to continue to play for our country,” Ashok said.
“Being World No. 2 Humpy doesn’t need permission to take part in any World championship. She gets a direct entry from the FIDE,” he said.
Ashok arrived in Hyderabad hoping to have a debate with the AICF officials who did not turn up at the AP Olympic Bhavan. So Ashok addressed the media on the raging controversy.
“Mr. (D.V.) Sundar (the AICF Secretary) should understand why Humpy insists that I should accompany her. I am her personal coach and any World No. 2 would want a personal coach present with them at major events,” Ashok said.
Coming to the question of Humpy taking part in the international events and why she skipped the World women’s team championship held last month despite being India’s best player, Ashok asked whether, being World No. 2, the former world junior champion doesn’t have the right to chose her events to improve her ranking.
Unfair
“It is unfair to insist that Humpy be available for a particular tournament. It is also unfair to say that Humpy never played for the country. She has done so on numerous occasions,” he said.
“We have always sought permission before going abroad. We have proof of his (Sundar’s) replies okaying the trips. (Copies of Mr. Sundar’s letters were circulated to the media).
“In the matter of issuing of certificates, Sundar had himself issued participation certificates in the past but now he contradicts,” Ashok concluded.
