Maharashtra government releases Rs 50 lakh grant for World Junior Chess Championship

The Maharashtra government has released a grant of Rs 50 lakh for the World Junior Chess Championship, to be held at Pune from October 5 to 20.

The cheque was formally handed over to grandmaster Abhijit Kunte by Padmakar Valvi, Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, a release said today. 

Organising committee chairman Aniruddha Deshpande thanked the government for the funds. "Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had earlier agreed to be the Chief Patron of the championship during a meeting with Vishwanathan Anand and officials of Maharashtra Chess Association.

"He had also assured to extend full support from his Government for this tournament. We are extremely thankful to him and his team for this grant which will go a long way in successful conduct of the championship," said Deshpande.

"This event is being held for the first time in Maharashtra," he added.

The tournament is being jointly organised by Maharashtra Chess Association and Pune district Chess Circle under the auspices of All India Chess Federation and world governing body for the game FIDE.

Two hundred and fifty players from 50 countries, including Grandmasters and International Masters, are expected to play in the 15-day event.