Settle differences, urges CPAI

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: The Chess Players’ Association of India (CPAI) on Monday termed the development between Grandmaster Koneru Humpy and the All India Chess Federation (AICF) as unfortunate and urged the two parties to arrive at an amicable solution.

In a statement, CPAI Secretary Atanu Lahiri said here that Humpy’s wish — to have her father, who is also her coach, accompany her to all tournaments because that helped her perform better — should not be discouraged by the AICF especially when the player was ready to bear his expenses.

“After all, it is the freedom of any player to choose his/her trainer on performance considerations,” he explained.

“Looking at the career graph of Humpy it is obvious that we have in her a player of international repute and great promise. And in the interest of the country and the federation such a top performer should be encouraged by being given extra leeway and flexibility to fulfil her promise,” he said.

He further said that a player should be allowed the freedom to choose the tournaments he or she wished to play as long as he or she did not fail to fulfil any official commitment or representation of the country.

“We strongly feel that Open chess tournaments — organised by whomsoever — in India cannot be the reason for a player to be refused permission to play abroad.

“After all, a player selects participation in chess tournaments based on many sporting criteria such as strength of the event, playing schedules, time control, playing conditions and a host of many such considerations,” he added.

“We urge GM Humpy and the AICF to have a positive and open discussion on all the above issues for the sake of her career development and the promise she holds as a performer for the country. A settlement of all the issues should be found at the earliest,” the statement added.

Source:- http://www.hindu.com

Special thanks to Jagadish Dube for sending us the news.

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