Latest news with #SOGGrandmastersSeriesChampionship
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Highlights from the SOG Grandmasters Series: Rakesh Kumar's Zonal Victory
New Delhi, June 09, 2025 – Rakesh Kumar from Rishikesh has emerged as a rising star in India's skill-based gaming arena, gaining the prestigious title of Indian Rummy Grandmaster for the North & East Zone at the recently concluded SOG Grandmasters Series Championship. Held at the Hyatt Regency, Gurugram, the two-day tournament brought together some of India's finest minds, with over 1.5 lakh participants competing across rummy, chess, and chess for the blind. The Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG) event alone witnessed a turnout of 78,000 participants. After intense rounds and competitive gameplay, 150 finalists battled it out in the finals, culminating in Kumar's strategic victory. The tournament celebrated not only individual brilliance but also the growing recognition of mind sports in India's digital and youth-driven ecosystem. Organised by the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF), the championship featured three major competitions: IRG, Indian Chess Masters (ICM), and Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB). The ICM saw 3,500 participants, while the ICMB — conducted in partnership with the All India Chess Federation for the Blind — demonstrated the resilience and talent of visually impaired players, with 16 finalists selected from across India. The inclusive and vibrant event concluded with entertainment performances and award ceremonies, with dignitaries such as Gaurav Dhyanchand, Tournament Director and President of the Dhyanchand Foundation, and D.P. Raturi, former Air Force officer and hockey player, in attendance. The grand finale also featured participation from notable personalities including Sports Minister of Haryana Mr. Gaurav Gautam, Secretary of Sports Ms. Sujata Chaturvedi, legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, Chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya, boxer-politician Vijender Singh, and several leaders from the SOG Federation. 'At SOGF, we are committed to building a future where mind sports are given the same recognition as traditional sports,' said Adv. Nandan Jha, Founder of SOGF. 'Rakesh Kumar's win is not just an individual achievement but a testament to the growing talent pool in India's skill-based gaming community. We are proud to create a platform that celebrates intellect, strategy, and digital excellence.' Founded by Adv. Nandan Jha, SOGF is a first-of-its-kind body aligning with international sports guidelines and India's digital growth vision. With support from tech platform partner Rummy Culture, the federation's unique 'phygital' format—combining physical tournaments with digital access—continues to democratize access to competitive gaming across regions. As India's sports industry gears up for a projected $130 billion valuation by 2030, milestones like these underline the potential of mind sports in shaping the future of competitive skill-based gaming in the country. Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Business Standard
5 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Rakesh Kumar Crowned Indian Rummy Grandmaster for North & East Zone at SOG Grandmasters Series
VMPL New Delhi [India], June 9: Rakesh Kumar from Rishikesh has emerged as a rising star in India's skill-based gaming arena, gaining the prestigious title of Indian Rummy Grandmaster for the North & East Zone at the recently concluded SOG Grandmasters Series Championship. Held at the Hyatt Regency, Gurugram, the two-day tournament brought together some of India's finest minds, with over 1.5 lakh participants competing across rummy, chess, and chess for the blind. The Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG) event alone witnessed a turnout of 78,000 participants. After intense rounds and competitive gameplay, 150 finalists battled it out in the finals, culminating in Kumar's strategic victory. The tournament celebrated not only individual brilliance but also the growing recognition of mind sports in India's digital and youth-driven ecosystem. Organised by the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF), the championship featured three major competitions: IRG, Indian Chess Masters (ICM), and Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB). The ICM saw 3,500 participants, while the ICMB -- conducted in partnership with the All India Chess Federation for the Blind -- demonstrated the resilience and talent of visually impaired players, with 16 finalists selected from across India. The inclusive and vibrant event concluded with entertainment performances and award ceremonies, with dignitaries such as Gaurav Dhyanchand, Tournament Director and President of the Dhyanchand Foundation, and D.P. Raturi, former Air Force officer and hockey player, in attendance. The grand finale also featured participation from notable personalities including Sports Minister of Haryana Mr. Gaurav Gautam, Secretary of Sports Ms. Sujata Chaturvedi, legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, Chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya, boxer-politician Vijender Singh, and several leaders from the SOG Federation. "At SOGF, we are committed to building a future where mind sports are given the same recognition as traditional sports," said Adv. Nandan Jha, Founder of SOGF. "Rakesh Kumar's win is not just an individual achievement but a testament to the growing talent pool in India's skill-based gaming community. We are proud to create a platform that celebrates intellect, strategy, and digital excellence." Founded by Adv. Nandan Jha, SOGF is a first-of-its-kind body aligning with international sports guidelines and India's digital growth vision. With support from tech platform partner Rummy Culture, the federation's unique "phygital" format--combining physical tournaments with digital access--continues to democratize access to competitive gaming across regions.
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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
