Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Jan 18: Atul Kumar Gupta has the honour of being President of All J&K Chess Association since 2006. He also served as Joint Secretary in All India Chess Federation from the year 2011 to 2017. Apart from serving as prominent office bearer in the State Association and All India Federation, Atul has the distinction of producing International stuff from Jammu and Kashmir in Meenal Gupta, Arushi Kotwal and Soham Kamotra etc. He has also the honour of organising mega Chess events in J&K including International tournaments, besides accompanying the Indian contingent more than thrice on International tours. The Manager with Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Atul has the dream to see State Chess players consistently bringing laurels for the Country. Atul along with his team provided free basic Chess training to about 50,000 youth in the State including the kids from far-flung areas like Tangdhar, Shopian and Nobra in Ladakh.
In a freewheeling chat with EXCELSIOR, he talked about the game of Chess in J&K and his future plans to promote this game in nooks and corners of the State.
Excerpts:
Q. You have the reputation of holding Chess extravaganzas in the State. How do you manage to organise such cash-rich events?
A. It is my passion for the game which forces me to organise big cash-rich events. I along with my team of office bearers managed to hold a Chess extravaganza in the State-20 lakh Cash Prize Money Senior National 2018 (biggest ever Chess event in India) in which 162 players 27 States of India participated including 19 Grandmasters and 50 titled players. The ‘mantra’ to manage such events is the sheer-dint of hard-work, coupled with passion and sincerity of me and my entire team.
Q. It is learnt that you have accompanied the Indian Chess contingent three times in International tours. Tell us about the impact of such tours in honing the skill of State players?
A. During the International tours I had the opportunity to meet the top players and coaches of the Country and the world as well. Spending time with experts like Vishvanathan Anand and Gary Kasporov always helps you to gain knowledge and wisdom. Sharing the same knowledge with the budding players has a positive effect on them.
Q. There is euphoria of cricket in India and in our state as well. In such an atmosphere, how do you succeed in luring youth towards Chess?
A. You know, as for as the topography of the State is concerned, Chess is the best game to suit Jammu and Kashmir as the major portion of the State remains snow bound for a considerable period of time and I have a firm belief that Chess being an indoor and mind grossing game can prove very effective in changing the mindset of J&K youth which in turn prove a turning point in J&K history analogous to Russia where Chess has been made a compulsory subject. The same belief has helped me to lure youth towards the game of Chess. In J&K, Chess is the best sport to help youth not to derail from the mainstream and avoid falling prey to drugs and other such evils.
Q. Ace Chess players like Meenal, Arushi and Soham blossom at National and International scene. Please tell us about their motivation, inspiration?
A. Organisation of lot many mega Chess events in the State is the highest motivation for the players like Meenal Gupta, Arushi Kotwal and Soham Kamotra. Moreover, their interaction with the best in the business serves as inspiration for these talented players.
Q. Chess doesn’t need much infrastructural facilities. What kind support you need from the Government and other agencies in making Chess players to flourish?
A. We just need an AC Hall with proper chairs and tables. In this regard, we are thankful to Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary Finance and Commissioner Secretary Youth Services and Sports Sarmad Hafeez to provide us such facilities soon. Moreover, the State Government needs to do something out of box to give fillip to this game in the State. Provision of special initiatives for outstanding sportspersons is the need of the hour.
Q. What are your future plans?
A. Holding mega Chess events in the State to involve thousands of youth and organising International Chess Festival in Jammu and Kashmir soon.
Q. Who is your favourite sportsperson?
A. It is Sachin Tendulkar in Cricket and Vishvanathan Anand and Gary Kasparov in Chess.
Q. Would you like to give any message to the budding sportspersons of the State?
A. We have a galaxy of immensely talented players in the State, who need to work harder for three to four years to beat the best in the world. The Association is always ready to pat and promote them and provide them all kind of facilities free of cost.
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