Sikkim Chess Association assured of affiliation to AICF by April this year

SAGAR CHETTRI

GANGTOK, 07 March: A high-level delegation of the All India Chess Federation [AICF] gets impressed with activities taken up by Sikkim Chess Association [SCA] in short span of its formation.
AICF has announced to provide its affiliation as well as other supports to the SCA for the further development of the association and the chess in the state.
The delegation, which arrived yesterday, has the general secretary AICF, DV Sundar, who is also the vice-president of FIDE, and treasurer AICF, Bharat Singh Chauhan, who is also the president of Commonwealth Chess Association.
The delegation members had an interaction with the members of the SCA yesterday evening at Circuit House.
Responding to the request of the SCA for the affiliation, Mr Sundar announced to provide the affiliation to the association in the next meeting of the federation by April this year.
He also announced to send the senior players of the country and coaches to the state to train the local children on the expenses of the federation and also to provide all possible help for the development of chess in the state.
He informed that the federation has been keeping its eyes on the SCA since last year and it was found the state has been doing very well for the promotion of chess through different activities even in its infant stage.
Mr Sundar suggested the association members to work with more dedication and consistency in the state and to send the state teams to every national tournament.
Likewise, Mr Chauhan suggested the association to concentrate more on the young players in order to produce master and international players from the state in the future.
He also informed that in chess referees, coaches and players are equally necessary and the federation would organize seminars and trainings in all three fields in the state.
He also pointed out an international arbiter, Mahendra Dhakal, from Sikkim as a positive sign and advantage for the state whose knowledge can be used for the development of the game.
Mr Chauhan suggested the association to promote chess at the school level to encourage students interested in the game.
President SCA, HS Sharma informed that some like minded people in the state started the association on 24 July 2008 and during in its early stage it has already conducted seven tournaments.
He also informed that the association has also been providing technical support to various organizations in conducting chess competitions in the state.
Mr Sharma stated that being in its infant stage the SCA needs constant support from all concerned for its further development.
The meeting was also addressed by the Advisor SCA, KT Kafley.