Chess in Goa Looking up !!

Image by eshm via Flickr

The brain game of chess is receiving a fillip among residents of the tiny tourist state of Goa,especially,among the young school kids who are all admirers of local champion- Ivana Furtado. Across Goa in schools there are chess clubs coming up, with Parents, teachers and participants all gung-ho about the game, that they feel has a great potential. Chess as a sport has come up smartly over the last three years. The successes of local players like Ivana Furtado and Vidula Dempo has only spurred the interest.

Corporate sponsorships have been emerging in the last two years perhaps due to series of successes by local players. At present, there are about five Goan business houses that are major supporters of the game. However as in other states across the country, Government support is lacking. There is no proper infrastructure provide by the state , for training young talents or for organising various tournaments. Mostly chess tournaments are held in wedding halls or school premises where the facilities are all very basic.

The government should definitely come forward and recognise chess as a sport. There is a lot of enthusiasm for it and we need to capitalise on it to bring recognition to the state.

Category: Chess , Chess Thoughts