Grand welcome planned for Anand too
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi: The All India Chess Federation (AICF), taking a leaf out of the BCCI’s book, is planning a grand public reception for Viswanathan Anand when he arrives in Chennai later this month. Speaking to The Telegraph on Monday, AICF treasurer Bharat Singh Chauhan said a special chariot would be made to carry Anand from the airport to his home in Chennai.
“Though things are yet to be finalised, we are planning a rathyatra for our champion,” said Chauhan, one of the bigwigs of the AICF in the post-Umer Koya days. “We are not as rich as the BCCI but will do everything to make it a memorable day for Indian chess.”
The AICF is also planning a big public function to felicitate Anand on the same day. Some of the top dignitaries of world chess will be present on the occasion. “We are trying to get Fide president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and (invite) some other big names. Sports minister Mani Shankar Aiyar will also be requested to attend the function,” said Chauhan.
The AICF, however, is not too sure when the world champion in likely to return to India. “Anand has not given us a specific date but he is expected at the end of the month,” said AICF secretary D.V. Sundar. “The sooner he comes, the better. Otherwise, people may forget the feat.”
Source: www.telegraphindia.com
Who will forget Anand’s feat? Has this guy lost his brains or what when he says that people will forget?!!
To AICF secretary DV Sundar – Chess enthusiasts will never ever forget Anand’s achievement. To be the World’s numero uno chess player as well as World Champion is a feat much greater than being cricket’s 20 – 20 champions.
Sundar does not know how to play chess even. What can be expected from such a bloke?