*Represents India in World Youth Chess C’ship
Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Oct 23: Jammu and Kashmir’s ace Chess player Soham Kamotra is a familiar name in the World of Chess. The young and promising Under-16 player, apart from being a State champion from two consecutive years, has the honour of representing India in World Youth Chess Championship held at Mumbai recently. Soham is the highest rated player in J&K with FIDE rating 2189.
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In a freewheeling chat with EXCELSIOR, he talked about Chess scenario in Jammu and Kashmir and urged the Government for providing more financial support to outstanding sportspersons in the State and help them to represent J&K at the higher levels.
Excerpts:
Q. You have achieved a lot in Chess field at a young age. To whom you attribute your success?
A. For me it is just a beginning in the field of Chess and there is lot more to achieve as my ultimate goal is to become a Grandmaster. I owe my success to my parents, friends and well wishers.
Q. What are your future plans?
A. I have no specific plans, however, I will leave no stone unturned to do all that is required to become a Grandmaster.
Q. It is learnt that you are a 10th Class student. How do you balance between studies and sports?
A. It is always a tough task to give your best in both studies and sports. My school supports me a lot, however, that is not enough to make it to the highest level. For blossoming at the higher levels, you have to cope up with the pressures and the situations. I make every effort to do that in a better way.
Q. The State Govt is doing a fantastic job in promoting sports and sportspersons. Please comment?
A. No doubt, the Government is doing a fabulous job in improving the standard of sports and games, yet Chess is still receiving an indifferent treatment. There is no Chess culture in the State. Government needs to provide more financial support to the ace sportspersons, especially the Chess players of the State. There is no dearth of talent in J&K, but the only need is to catch the sportspersons young and coach them.
Q. Isn’t J&K Chess Association providing requisite facilities to young players?
A. The Association is doing a good job in promoting Chess culture. But when it comes to financial support with regard to helping players to represent at the bigger circuit, you need Corporate Houses to deliver, which is hardly seen in Jammu and Kashmir. For that matter, Government should take initiatives to sponsor young sportspersons who represent the State at the higher levels.
Q. Chess Association is affiliated to J&K State Sports Council. Is it not sponsoring the players?
A. Sports Council provides the support but that is not enough to bring laurels for the State in the prestigious events because sportspersons, apart from requiring infrastructural facilities, need sufficient funds to excel at the National and International scene. So, the assistance provided by the Council is good for participation but not enough for excellence.
Q. There is euphoria of cricket World over. Why you chose Chess amidst cricketing aroma?
A. Chess is resplendently a beautiful game. A knight is an epitome to explain my statement. If kept in centre, the knight is an octopus and on the rim, the knight is dim. That is why, I have chosen Chess rather than any other game.
Q. In Chess you need concentration and meditation. What do you do to focus in the game?
A. I read a lot of Chess related books to achieve perfection. Moreover, performing Yoga and other allied activities helps me a lot in meditating and thus concentrating.
Q. Who is your favourite player?
A. Unquestionably, Vishwanathan Anand.
Q. Any message for budding sportspersons of the State?
A. They should pursue, whichever game they like and should get married to the same by being determined, devoted and dedicated. Hard work is the only mantra to succeed.
Q. J&K presents Sher-e-Kashmir, State and Parshuram Awards to outstanding sportspersons. Are these awards enough?
A. Awards and rewards are the highest motivation for every sportsperson. Though, I have yet to receive any such award but I get a feeling that the State sportspersons ought to be feeling encouraged by getting the same.
Q. What should the State Govt do to make the State carve a space on the Country’s Sports Map?
A. The Govt should raise sufficient infrastructural facilities, organise more and more standard tournament and involve Corporate Houses, which otherwise, is not a custom here. The sportspersons should also be provided with requisite funds to excel.
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