Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika to lead Indian Contingent in Upcoming Asian Games

By: WE Staff | Monday, 10 July 2023

The All-India Chess Federation (AICF) has announced the 10-member team for upcoming Asian Games. To be held in Hangzhou, China, the Asian Games will see the Indian contingent being led by Koneru Humpy and Dronavalli Harika.

The announcement was made on Sunday, during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the AICF.

The standard format team event will be played by Grandmasters (GMs) D. Gukesh, Vidit Gujrathi, P. Harikrishna, Arjun Erigaisi and R. Praggnanandhaa. Humpy, Harika, R. Vaishali, Vantika Aggarwal, and B. Savitha Shri will represent as the women’s team for the event. Humpy, an ace chess player has won the gold in women’s individual and mixed team gold medals at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha. Harika won an individual bronze in 2010 Asian Games held in Guangzhou.

The individual event will be played in Rapid format for which Vidit and Arjun have been selected to compete in the men’s category. Humpy and Harika will represent India in the women’s event.

AICF president Sanjay Kapoor, stated that the Indian chess league might finally be a reality. He also invited tenders for the same. Speaking to IANS, the AICF chief said, “We will be putting out a tender in 10 days’ time.” The AICF President also announced that a dedicated management board will be set up to run things smoothly under a professional setup. It will be led by the AICF President himself.

“It (management board) will be presided over by the president itself. He will be going to appoint all the professionals, who will be in direct talk to him,” said Sanjay. “If you want to be an appointment you can apply, it’s a job. All the associations are an honourary job. These are professionals in their own field so that they can run the federation professionally,” added.

Sanjay Kapoor also announced plans to build a development programme for All States for which all affiliates of AICF will receive 7 Lakhs per annum in addition to 200 Chess sets.