NEW DELHI, July 20: The All India Chess Federation (AICF) on Monday disbursed quarterly stipends worth Rs 42.3 lakh to 42 of the country’s most promising young players, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at easing the financial burden on talented youngsters and helping them compete at the highest level.
The beneficiaries, selected on the basis of their performances in the 2024 National Championships, are the top players across the Under-7 to Under-19 categories in both Open and Girls sections. The quarterly stipends range from Rs 60,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.
Announcing the release on the occasion of World Chess Day, AICF president Nitin Narang said the initiative marked a historic moment for Indian chess. Encouraging aspiring players, he added: “If chess is your dream, chase it. We are with you.” The federation said the stipend programme is designed to ensure that talented youngsters are not forced to abandon the sport because of financial constraints with access to quality coaching and international exposure. (PTI)
