 Taking a breather from his usually hectic schedule, Mr P T Ummer Koya, Vice President, FIDE (World Chess Federation) and Hon. Secretary, AICF (All India Chess Federation) spoke exclusively to PTI at his suite in Hotel Airport Garden, Colombo on Sunday, May 06, 2001. Here in Colombo, Sri Lanka for the Asian Zonal Chess (World Championship qualifier) Mr Koya spoke at length from the forthcoming international events in India to developmental activities for promising juniors etc.,
Q How do you see Indian chess scene, now that Viswanathan Anand from India has become the World
Champion ?
A The scene is very bright and positive, and I foresee more than one thousand FIDE Rated players in just another year.
Q On India producing age group champions regularly in the Asian and World level for the past couple of years ?
A The system that was started a decade ago, has started producing results. Harikrishna and Humpy are doing wonderfully well and we have several others coming up on their heels with greater promise. Training and sponsorship are the key, with the world champion in our midst, the going is sunny and should produce excellent results in the coming months.
Q What are the international events scheduled to be held in India this year ?
A By successfully organizing the World Championships in New Delhi we have shown the world that India can host the world's big and important events. As for this year, we have the very strong World Chess Championships Qualifying tournament incorporating the Asian Individual Championship coming up in Calcutta from Aug 8th to 18th followed by the Asian Women's Individual championship at Chennai in September 2001. The Calcutta event is a
$ 80000 prize money events, where along with the title, the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are at stake. Also it offers huge opportunity for Indians to qualify for the World Championship as we can field ten men and equal number of women for the event.
Q What about training camps for the young and rising stars ?
A Three experienced Super Grandmasters viz., Valery Salov, Evegeny Vladimirov and Maxim Sorokin, have been invited to train the sub junior's from India. The month long camp at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi under Grandmaster Sorokin is all set to begin on 31st May, 2001 wherein the experienced Argentine Grandmaster is to impart training to medal winners of Under 10, 12, 14 and 16 categories. Government of India has accorded sanction for the camp and the camp will be held in co-operation with SAI (Sports Authority of India), New Delhi.
Q What assignments are Salov and Vladimirov scheduled to deliver ?
A Grandmaster Salov who brought outstanding result with the Indian team in the Istanbul Olympiad last year and Grandmaster Vladmirov whose coaching skills have brought excellent results for Indians, will both be training India's promising young players who are vying for top honors in the International events.
Q We wish you well in your pursuits to bring more and more success to Indian chess ?
A Thank you !!
Interview Courtesy: PTI
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