AICF rolls out an Rs 65 cr budget to grow Indian chess ecosystem

At the AICF general body meeting, the key initiatives discussed were aimed at strengthening the Indian chess ecosystem by providing financial and institutional support for pro as well as grassroots level players.

Commenting on the new budget, Nitin Narang said, “Players are at the heart of chess and many have to compromise on their passion due to the lack of funds, institutional support, and opportunities."

"I am committed to making every player’s dream a reality through myriad initiatives rolled out today, in our INR 65 Cr budget, and we are setting up a chess development fund to ensure that we empower the grassroots level players and bring them to a global level of excellence," Narang said.

"My mission is to bring chess to every household, with the motto 'Ghar Ghar Chess - Har Ghar Chess'. We are the first federation to directly support district associations," he added.

Narang said that the AICF will also support state associations for three years with aid up to Rs 15 lakh, and initiate national-level player contracts for 42 players with a budget outlay of Rs 2 crore across age groups under AICF Pro while ushering in an India-specific player ranking system.

"The top 20 FIDE-rated players would get annual contracts of Rs 25,00,000 and Rs 12,50,000 per annum with a total outlay of Rs 4 crore," the AICF president said.