Raghav of Telangana wins South Asian Chess title;Govt providing latest sports infrastructural facilities across State: Bali Bhagat

 Sports Reporter
JAMMU: Raghav Srivathsav V of Telangana won the South Asian Amateur Chess title to become rich by Rs 2 lakh, the cash prize presented by the organisers, All Jammu and Kashmir Chess Association at the valedictory of the mega event here on Tuesday. The title trophy and the cash prize were handed over the young champion from South Indian State by the Chief Guest, Minister for Health, Bali Bhagat. Suresh P K of Kerela won the second place and a cash prize of Rs. 1.25 lakh while S. Mithilesh Kumar of Delhi remained third to receive a prize money of Rs 1 lakh.
Minister appreciated the association for providing exposure to young chess players of the State by holding the international event in Jammu. Bali Bhagat also said that the government is providing latest sports infrastructural facilities across the State especially rural areas so that requisite facilities are made available to youth and a boost is given to the sports related activities.
Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SMVDSB, Piyush Singla and Joint Secretary, J and K State Sports Council, Shiv Kumar Sharma were Guests of Honour. Divisional Sports Officer of Sports Council, Rajan Sharma, Manager, MA Stadium, Ravi Singh, Dr Harleen Kour and Dr Sandeep Singh were Special Guests.
Among J and K players, young Meenal Gupta kept the State flag flying high with seven points out of her nine outings. She emerged as top scorer from J and K. She was presented with special prize in under-15 girls’ category. Another State girl, Arushi Kotwal also performed well to be awarded with special prize in girls under-13 group.
In fact, the total prize money of Rs 10 lakh was given away to those 55 position holders considering their performance in the six-day long competition. Besides J and K State Sports Council, the event was financially supported by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB). With Srivatsan R acting as Chief Arbiter, 14 professional arbiters were there to support in the successful and smooth conduct of this event.