Padmini aims for world title, appeals for support

Buoyed by the recent success, ace Odisha woman chess player Padmini Rout is gunning to fulfil her ultimate dream by becoming the women`s world champion within the next two years. But without long-term support, she finds it extremely difficult to move ahead.

With time running out, the 20-year-old Woman Grandmaster today made a desperate appeal to both the union and state governments as well as public and corporate sector companies to sponsor her campaign for two years.

``The last three months have been very successful for me. The gold medal as the fifth-board prize at Olympiad in Norway, the fourth-place finish in the World Junior in Pune and the maiden title in the National Women`s Premier at Sangli have immensely boosted my confidence. Now I feel I can perform as well in the senior level,`` said Padmini at a press conference here.