AICF officials light up murky chess scenario in Orissa

The murky chess scenario in Orissa lighted up today with two highly-placed officials of All India Chess Federation (AICF) assuring all possible help and cooperation for the betterment of the sport in the state. ‘‘We have given a blank cheque to the ad hoc committee to take steps for proper management of the game in the absence of Orissa State Chess Association (OSCA), which was expelled for its acts of omission and commission by the central council on March 10,’’ AICF secretary D V Sundar said at a press conference in Bhubaneswar. Sundar and AICF treasurer Bharat Singh Chauhan are on a two-day tour to Orissa to ‘galvanise’ the situation and look at the action plan chalked out by the five-member ad hoc committee. ‘‘We are happy that the committee has started working in right direction. We are also optimistic that Orissa would be another strong link in the chain of the AICF family soon,’’ said Chauhan. According to committee chairman Asit Mukherjee, the action plan will be kick-started with a felicitation of eminent players of yesteryear at a function in Bhubaneswar tomorrow. ‘‘It will be followed by a Fide rating tournament in June and domestic tournaments at regular intervals. Meanwhile, efforts will be made to form chess bodies in all the districts and amend constitution to provide voting right to all affiliated units,’’ he added. Sundar announced that the AICF would approve any date asked for the conduct of the rating tournament. ‘‘This is the first time that a big event, featuring a couple of Grandmasters and several International Masters, would be staged in the state,’’ he disclosed and felt that it would help Orissa players gain rating points while playing at home. Chauhan suggested Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri as ideal venues for the lucrative meet. Sundar stated that the ad hoc committee has also been advised to seek support from the expelled body and constitute a democratically elected state body eventually. ‘‘We want them to work together. Today we also spoke to the disaffiliated body’s president A B Mohanty,’’ he revealed. Asked about the time given for the formation of the new elected body, the AICF secretary said: ‘‘We have not set any deadline for the purpose. But we expect it would put in place within three to four months.’’ The AICF officials felt that Orissa had lots of promising talents and described Woman International Masters Padmini Rout and Kiran Manisha Mohanty as well-behaved and lovable players. ‘‘They are our darlings,’’ complimented Sundar. Both the officials thanked Star Consultancy director Tribeni Kumar Mohanty for his consent to sponsor the activities of the ad hoc committee.