All India Chess Federation launches player stipend scheme
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) announced the launch of the Top National Players Stipend Scheme (TNPSS), a financial support initiative to help in talent development.
The project, championed by AICF President Nitin Narang, will seek to nurture the chess players from the grassroots.
The AICF is immediately dispatching its first quarterly stipends, ranging from ₹60,000 to ₹1.5 lakh, directly into the accounts of top young chess talents. A total of ₹42.30 lakh has been disbursed for the months of April to June. Players starting from the age group of U-7 till U-19 will be beneficiaries of this scheme.
'This is more than just a scheme. It shows how deeply we believe in the promise of every young chess player in Bharat,' said Mr. Narang.
'For the first time in our history, we are directly investing in the future of 39 girls and 39 boys, providing them with the sustained financial bedrock they need to transform their talent into triumph. This is more than a token; it's a demonstration of our support. One of the key objectives is to increase the importance of national tournaments, as they are the foundation for building a strong chess ecosystem. It is at the nationals where we can identify and nurture talent,' Mr. Narang added.
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India Gazette
14 hours ago
- India Gazette
Landmark initiative for Bharatiya Chess: AICF disburses 1st installment of its National Player Stipend Scheme
New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): In an epoch-making stride for Bharatiya chess, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) on Wednesday announced the launch of the Top National Players Stipend Scheme (TNPSS), a groundbreaking financial support initiative set to revolutionise the landscape of chess talent development in the nation. This dream project, passionately championed by AICF President Nitin Narang, marks an unprecedented commitment to nurturing the burgeoning chess prodigies of Bharat from the grassroots up. 'This is more than just a scheme. It shows how deeply we believe in the promise of every young chess player in Bharat.' AICF President Nitin Narang quoted in a press release. 'For the first time in our history, we are directly investing in the future of our 'golden girls and boys', providing them with the sustained financial bedrock they need to transform their talent into triumph. This is more than a token; it's a demonstration of our profound support and a catalyst for their dreams.', Nitin Narang added. 'One of the key objectives is to increase the importance of national tournaments, as they are the foundation for building a strong chess ecosystem in Bharat. It is at the nationals where we can identify and nurture talent', Narang explained. In a move echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of empowering athletes at grassroots level, TNPSS immediately dispatches its first quarterly stipends, ranging from a substantial 60,000 to an impressive 1,50,000, directly into the accounts of top young chess talents of Bharat. A total of 42,30,000 has been disbursed for the months of April to June of the current financial year, reaching deserving players across the Under 7 to Under 19 categories, both open and girls, based on their stellar performances in last year's nationals. President Narang explained the idea behind TNPSS, 'For too long, financial constraints have cast a shadow over the aspirations of our chess players. The demands of travel, training, and international competition often forces players to abandon their passion which is a profound loss for our nation. TNPSS is our definitive answer to these challenges. It is a bold stride towards a player-centric policy that empowers our youth to focus solely on honing their skills and conquering the chessboard.' This pioneering initiative is designed to provide robust financial assistance to promising top players from nationals for a critical period of two years. This invaluable support will significantly alleviate the burden of training and global competition expenses, allowing young players to immerse themselves fully in their game and pursue excellence on the world stage without economic hardship. The first beneficiaries of this visionary scheme are 42 top-ranked players based on their national-level performances last year. These players represent the pinnacle of talent across the U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, and U19 age categories. The quarterly stipends are structured to reflect their age and potential, ranging from 60,000 for Under 7 to a significant 1,50,000 for Under 19, underscoring the AICF's comprehensive commitment. The TNPSS boasts an ambitious budgetary outlay of 6,15,60,000, a clear signal of the AICF's long-term strategic investment in the future of Indian chess. The inaugural beneficiaries of the Top National Players Stipend Scheme include: Under 7: Open: Devanarayanan Kalliyath, Prayank Gaonkar, Aaradhyo Guin Girls: Aaranya R, Arpitangshi Bhattacharya, Saiaastha Singh Under 9: Open: Nidhish Shyamal, Aarit Kapil, Divith Reddy Adulla Girls: Kiyanna Parihaar, Divi Bijesh, Vanshika Rawat Under 11: Open: Madhvendra Pratap Sharma, Advik Amit Agrawal, Aarav A Girls: Pratitee Bordoloi, Aadya Gowda, Divi Bijesh Under 13: Open: Reyan Md, Sherla Prathamesh, Pranav Sai Ram R S Girls: Saranya Devi Narahari, Nivedita V C, Nihira Koul Under 15: Open: Ilamparthi A R, Vaz Ethan, Sherla Prathamesh Girls: Prishita Gupta, Jain Ashita, Saparya Ghosh Under 17: Open: Sriram Adarsh Uppala, Arpith S Bijoy, Jaiveer Mahendru Girls: Tejaswini G, Kirthika B, Anupam M Sreekumar Under 19: Open: Adireddy Arjun, Sourath Biswas, Jaiveer Mahendru Girls: Mrittika Mallick, Velpula Sarayu, Sneha Halder This landmark initiative is a cornerstone of AICF's long-term vision to forge a robust, structured, and inclusive chess ecosystem across Bharat. By providing direct financial assistance to the most promising talents, the AICF is ensuring that young players receive every conceivable support to excel on both national and international stages, solidifying India's position as a global chess powerhouse. 'Bharat has not merely risen; we are now a dominant force, a chess superpower.', said Narang as quoted by the AICF press release. (ANI)
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- The Hindu
All India Chess Federation launches player stipend scheme
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) announced the launch of the Top National Players Stipend Scheme (TNPSS), a financial support initiative to help in talent development. The project, championed by AICF President Nitin Narang, will seek to nurture the chess players from the grassroots. The AICF is immediately dispatching its first quarterly stipends, ranging from ₹60,000 to ₹1.5 lakh, directly into the accounts of top young chess talents. A total of ₹42.30 lakh has been disbursed for the months of April to June. Players starting from the age group of U-7 till U-19 will be beneficiaries of this scheme. 'This is more than just a scheme. It shows how deeply we believe in the promise of every young chess player in Bharat,' said Mr. Narang. 'For the first time in our history, we are directly investing in the future of 39 girls and 39 boys, providing them with the sustained financial bedrock they need to transform their talent into triumph. This is more than a token; it's a demonstration of our support. One of the key objectives is to increase the importance of national tournaments, as they are the foundation for building a strong chess ecosystem. It is at the nationals where we can identify and nurture talent,' Mr. Narang added.
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Indian Express
Indian chess federation hands out stipends worth Rs 42 lakh to promising young players
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has launched the Top National Players Stipend Scheme (TNPSS) which saw the national chess federation disburse stipends to deserving Indian players ranging from ₹60,000 to ₹1,50,000 per player. In all, the federation disbursed a total of ₹42,30,000 to deserving players across the Under 7 to Under 19 categories, both open and girls, based on their stellar performances in last year's nationals. The AICF said that the TNPSS boasts an ambitious budgetary outlay of ₹6,15,60,000. A total of 42 top-ranked players, based on their last year performances at national level, are the first beneficiaries of this scheme, representing the pinnacle of talent across the U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, and U19 age categories. The stipends are for the quarter ranging from the months of April to June of the current financial year. 'For too long, financial constraints have cast a shadow over the aspirations of our chess players. The demands of travel, training, and international competition often forces players to abandon their passion which is a profound loss for our nation,' AICF President Nitin Narang said in a statement while explaining the idea behind TNPSS. ' TNPSS is our definitive answer to these challenges, a bold stride towards a player-centric policy that empowers our youth to focus solely on honing their skills and conquering the chessboard.' 'For the first time in our history, we are directly investing in the future of our 'golden girls and boys', providing them with the sustained financial bedrock they need to transform their talent into triumph. This is more than a token; it's a demonstration of our profound support and a catalyst for their dreams,' Narang added. 'One of the key objectives is to increase the importance of national tournaments, as they are the foundation for building a strong chess ecosystem in Bharat. It is at the nationals where we can identify and nurture talent.' Under 7: Open: Devanarayanan Kalliyath, Prayank Gaonkar, Aaradhyo Guin | Girls: Aaranya R, Arpitangshi Bhattacharya, Saiaastha Singh Under 9: Open: Nidhish Shyamal, Aarit Kapil, Divith Reddy Adulla | Girls: Kiyanna Parihaar, Divi Bijesh, Vanshika Rawat Under 11: Open: Madhvendra Pratap Sharma, Advik Amit Agrawal, Aarav A | Girls: Pratitee Bordoloi, Aadya Gowda, Divi Bijesh Under 13: Open: Reyan Md, Sherla Prathamesh, Pranav Sai Ram R S | Girls: Saranya Devi Narahari, Nivedita V C, Nihira Koul Under 15: Open: Ilamparthi A R, Vaz Ethan, Sherla Prathamesh | Girls: Prishita Gupta, Jain Ashita, Saparya Ghosh Under 17: Open: Sriram Adarsh Uppala, Arpith S Bijoy, Jaiveer Mahendru | Girls: Tejaswini G, Kirthika B, Anupam M Sreekumar Under 19: Open: Adireddy Arjun, Sourath Biswas, Jaiveer Mahendru | Girls: Mrittika Mallick, Velpula Sarayu, Sneha Halder
