FIDE World Junior Chess Championships inaugurated in Odisha capital

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 7:

FIDE World Junior Chess Championships 2016 (for boys & girls under 20 years of age) was inaugurated at the KIIT University in the Odisha capital on Sunday.

“Odisha government is giving higher importance to sports and development of sports infrastructure in the state. Successful sports persons of national and international level are getting government jobs through direct recruitment,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurating the championship.

The state government has also increased incentives for sports persons, he added.

Patnaik congratulated KIIT University for hosting the world championship.

More than 200 participants from 55 countries are participating in the championship.

The 15-day championship is sponsored by KIIT University, Bhubaneswar and organized by All Orissa Chess Association under the aegis of All India Chess Federation (AICF) and FIDE.

This is the first time in eastern India Odisha is hosting the World Junior Chess Championship.

Among others Dr. Prasanna Patsani, MP (Lok Sabha); Priyadarshi Mishra, MLA; D. V. Sundar, Vice- President of World Chess Federation; Bharat Singh Chowhan, President, Asian Chess Organization; Sekhar Sahu (FIDE Senior Trainer) & IM; Prof. P. P. Mathur, VC, KIIT University and Dr. Sasmitarani Samata Registrar, KIIT University were also present.

Governor of Odisha Dr. S. C. Jamir will grace the valedictory to be held on August 21.