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Time of India
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Hailed by Kapil Dev and world chess champion Koneru Humpy, SOGF Grandmasters Series sets new benchmarks in Mind Sports
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) Grandmasters Series Championship concluded in Gurugram late Wednesday evening at an electrifying closing ceremony graced by Legendary Indian Cricketer Kapil Dev and World Rapid Chess Champion Koneru Humpy , who praised the growing prominence of mind sports in India, as per a release from the registrations from over 1,50,000 participants nationwide, the two-day event brought together elite talent in chess, blind chess, and rummy, marking a significant milestone in the country's skill-based gaming from April 29 to 30 at Hyatt Regency, Gurugram, the tournament culminated in fierce yet friendly competition, with Mitrabha Guha, Shubhi Gupta, Soundarya Kumar Pradhan, Satya and Rakesh Kumar emerging as winners in their respective categories. Haryana Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam and Kapil Dev gave away the are the names of the top three winners in each category: In the Indian Chess Masters (ICM) competition, the winners in the men's category were Mitrabha Guha (Winner), Namitbir Singh Walia (1st Runner-Up), and Gopal Krishna Maheshwari (2nd Runner-Up). In the Indian Chess Masters (ICM), in the women's category, the winners were Shubhi Gupta (Winner), Sachi Jain (1st Runner Up), and Diya Chowdhury (2nd Runner Up).For the Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB), winners from the East Zone were Soundarya Kumar Pradhan (Winner), Shougata Chowdhury (1st Runner Up), Patra Subhendu Kumar (2nd Runner Up) and winners from the North Zone were Satya (Winner), Soumendra (1st Runner-Up), and Mayenk(2nd Runner-Up).For the Indian Rummy Grandmaster - North & East Zone, the winners were Rakesh Kumar (Winner), Sachin (1st Runner Up) and Ravi Kumar (2nd Runner Up).Celebrating the event's success, India's legendary cricketer Kapil Dev emphasised the importance of traditional Indian games in boosting mental agility, stating, "Games like chess and rummy aren't just entertainment--they're cognitive exercises that enhance memory, reduce stress, and build resilience."Koneru Humpy, ranked No. 5 globally, echoed optimism about India's trajectory in global chess. "We are witnessing a golden era," she said. "With world champion Gukesh and others in the top 10, India's future in chess is brighter than ever."The event was honoured by the presence of several esteemed dignitaries, including Haryana Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam, Wrestling guru Satpal Singh, Hockey Legend Ashok Dhyanchand, and Geoffrey Borg (CEO, International Mind Sports Association), reflecting the event's widespread acclaim and national Kumar Jha, Founder of SOGF, highlighted the broader vision: "This championship is a testament to India's rising interest in mind sports. Driven by Gen Z and fueled by digital transformation, esports in India has seen a 733% rise in players and a 108% growth in teams from 2020 to 2023. At SOGF, we aim to formalise and promote these games as serious, skill-based disciplines."The SOGF Grandmasters Series blends physical and digital ("phygital") formats to ensure accessibility, equity, and national recognition. With India's sports market projected to reach $130 billion by 2030, SOGF's initiatives are helping shape a future where cognitive excellence is celebrated alongside physical prowess.
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Business Standard
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
SOG Grandmasters championship culminates with stellar wins in Gurugram
The SOG Grandmasters Series Championship wrapped up on a high note in Gurugram on Wednesday evening, with an electrifying closing ceremony attended by cricket legend Mr. Kapil Dev and world rapid chess champion Ms. Koneru Humpy. Both dignitaries commended the increasing popularity of mind sports in India, highlighting their growing significance in the country's evolving sporting landscape. Drawing participation from over 1,50,000 registered players across India, the two-day championship was a celebration of skill-based gaming, featuring top-tier competitions in chess, blind chess, and rummy. Held from April 29 to 30 at the Hyatt Regency, Gurugram, the event showcased intense yet sportsmanlike contests across categories, culminating in a remarkable showcase of India's emerging talent. Among the many standouts, Mitrabha Guha, Shubhi Gupta, Soundarya Kumar Pradhan, Satya, and Rakesh Kumar took top honours in their respective divisions. The awards were presented by Haryana Sports Minister Mr. Gaurav Gautam and Mr. Kapil Dev, adding further prestige to the occasion. Also Read 1st Runner-Up: Namitbir Singh Walia 2nd Runner-Up: Gopal Krishna Maheshwari Indian Chess Masters (ICM) – Women's Category: Winner: Shubhi Gupta 1st Runner-Up: Sachi Jain 2nd Runner-Up: Diya Chowdhury Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB): East Zone: Winner: Soundarya Kumar Pradhan 1st Runner-Up: Shougata Chowdhury 2nd Runner-Up: Patra Subhendu Kumar North Zone: Winner: Satya 1st Runner-Up: Soumendra 2nd Runner-Up: Mayenk Indian Rummy Grandmaster – North & East Zone: Winner: Rakesh Kumar 1st Runner-Up: Sachin 2nd Runner-Up: Ravi Kumar At the closing ceremony, Kapil Dev highlighted the mental benefits of traditional Indian games, stating, 'Games like chess and rummy aren't just forms of entertainment—they are mental workouts that improve memory, lower stress, and enhance mental strength.' Echoing his sentiments, Koneru Humpy, currently ranked World No. 5, spoke enthusiastically about India's ascent in global chess. 'We are living through a golden phase in Indian chess,' she noted. 'With talents like world champion Gukesh and others among the world's top players, our country's future in the sport looks incredibly promising.' The event also welcomed numerous distinguished guests, including Wrestling icon Satpal Singh, Hockey great Ashok Dhyanchand, and Geoffrey Borg, CEO of the International Mind Sports Association, all of whom lent their support and admiration to the championship's success. Mr. Nandan Kumar Jha, Founder of the SOG Foundation (SOGF), emphasized the broader vision of the initiative: 'This tournament reflects India's fast-growing enthusiasm for mind sports. With significant contributions from Gen Z and rapid advancements in digital platforms, esports has seen a remarkable 733% rise in players and a 108% increase in team formation between 2020 and 2023. At SOGF, we're committed to elevating these skill-based games into recognized, competitive disciplines.' The SOG Grandmasters Series has successfully blended both physical and digital elements—what the organizers call a 'phygital' approach—making the event more accessible, inclusive, and widely recognized. With India's sports industry projected to hit $130 billion by 2030, initiatives like SOGF are playing a key role in shaping a future where intellectual excellence is celebrated alongside physical
