Revolt gains momentum against State chess body

The ongoing revolt against Orissa State Chess Association (OSCA)gained momentum with experts of the game criticising the state body`s undemocratic functioning in a workshop at the OAS Bhawan in Bhubaneswar today. Preventing internationally-acclaimed players from becoming the members of OSCA seemed to be the immediate provocation for the chess fraternity to express its annoyance at the brain-storming session with ‘Orissa Chess: Progress and Pitfalls’ as the theme. Leading players, including GM norm-holder S Satyapragyan, rated Vivek Tibarewal, SR Patnaik, Rajendra Sahu: parents of Asian girls’ champion Padmini Rout, Kiran Manisha Mohanty, Anwesh Upadhyaya, Swayams Mishra and Debasis Das: eminent coach Sekhar Chandra Sahu: veteran players K D Pillai, JM Joardar: OSCA Working president K K Nath, East Coast Railway Sports Association president D K Samantaray: host Kalinga Chess Academy president Sibabrata Das: representatives of 12 district bodies and the lovers of the game attended the workshop. The workshop was tempted to suggest forming a parallel State body but ended with lenient decision. ‘‘A committee was formed to convey the concern to the OSCA as well the All India Chess Federation,’’ said Niharika Mishra, the chief coordinator of the workshop. The seminar felt the State Government should be more involved in the game and extend better support. ‘‘The Government should provide infrastructure and coaching facilities to the players,’’ said former State champion Debasis Chakraborty. Woman sports psychologist Yogamaya Panda and sports medicine specialist Mohan Prasad Nanda were the special invites for the seminar. The duo answered the quarries of the players and others.