Players’ body backs ‘barred’ Gopal
Vijay Tagore
Thursday, March 12, 2009 3:38 IST
Mumbai: The Gopal family has not recovered from the shock. “It will take a while before we overcome this,” said G Narain Pillay, a retired English lecturer. “I’ve spent all my earnings to fund my son’s career in chess. Now, they say he can’t play.” Pillay is devastated.
The All-India Chess Federation (AICF) has not yet communicated to GN Gopal its decision to stop him from playing any official tournament in India or abroad. But the AICF refused to term the punishment as a ban.
“We have to draw a line at some point of time. We cannot tolerate indiscipline from players,” said RM Dongre, vice-president of the AICF.
The decision to punish Gopal was taken at the AICF’s Central committee meeting held in Chennai on Tuesday. The charges against Gopal include, refusal to take part in the National A tournament in December.
AICF’s secretary DV Sundar said the association would not tolerate such indiscipline. But the Chess Players Association of India (CPAI) said the players’ body was not being informed of the decisions taken at the AICF meetings. “We would also like to bring to your notice that decisions pertaining to players taken in AICF meetings are not communicated to the players. Hence the players are not aware of all the rules and regulations,” the CPAI said in a written statement to the AICF after it showcaused Gopal.
Gopal’s father said his son could not take part in the National A because he was committed to playing a tournament in Mexico on the same dates. Koneru Humpy, a top women’s player in the country, chose not to play for India at the Olympiad and instead preferred playing a league in Europe.
“There are many instances of players skipping the National A but the AICF did not take any action. The punishment against Gopal is very harsh,” said Verghese Koshy, a senior player and reputed coach. CPAI president GM Tejas Bakre said it would request the AICF to reconsider its decision.
Source: DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/)
This are the gimmicks of the secretary of the Indian chess federation Mr Sundar who does not know chess.He was an very unknown cricket player of Tamil Nadu state cricket team.This is a totally absurd decision by Mr Sundar.
Annoymous comments are cowardly and if you wish to make strong statements have the courage to declare who you are.
Mr Sundar is a very capable sports administrator who has never claimed to be a chessplayer and is the guy who cleaned up chess in India after decades of corruption.
The court cases you claim are a fiction. He as Secretary of the AICF is representing the organisation in putting an end to the appeals against court judgements won against Mr Koya.
I am sure there are good reasons for the action against GM Gopal and I am equally sure he will have the right to appeal and be given a second chance.
My experience as an organiser in the ASEAN region is that many Indian players have a bad habit of registering and confirming participation and then when a better offer comes up they just up and go.
The criminal cases against Mr Sundar are not factious or fiction.It’s a reality.These are the where abouts of one of the 5 cases.
Everyone,Please go through
http://www.gangaclassifieds.com/chess/
I am not surprised to hear that he has criminal cases against him.He once slapped an Indian GM in public for losing a match.
The point is, anyone can become an administarator in chess.But it requires years of hardwork to become a grandmaster of chess.Is it worthwhile to become a GM in India and then become slave to the likes of Sundar?
indiscipline is not a word.
Are the players in India slaves regarding to their chess federation? It’s not The federations business what Mr. Gopal do or not do. He can of course play in any tournament he chooses, with or without the Indian chess federation’s blessings.
To all commentators –
Does AICF have a valid constitution today?
give a a certified copy valid and updated and u get an award of Rs. 1100/- indian rupees, if you failed, would u be kind enought to raise the voice.
Can anyone justify the continuation of Mr. Srinivasan as AICf President as per consitution and GOI Guidelines – come forward and reply these 2 small questions before supporting sunder -you may like to visit chessinindia.com for criminal case decision of hyd court against sunder’s writ
– You may like to see Delhi High Court Judgement on Federations, visit my site chessinindia.com for details
To all commentators –
Does AICF have a valid constitution today?
give a a certified copy valid and updated and u get an award of Rs. 1100/- indian rupees, if you failed, would u be kind enought to raise the voice.
Can anyone justify the continuation of Mr. Srinivasan as AICf President as per consitution and GOI Guidelines – come forward and reply these 2 small questions before supporting sunder -you may like to visit chessinindia.com for criminal case decision of hyd court against sunder’s writ
– You may like to see Delhi High Court Judgement on Federations, visit my site chessinindia.com for details
the link to criminal case against Sundar is http://www.gangaclassifieds/chess.htm
Mr.Sundar is worse than Mr. Koya and dangerous to Indian chess.
Looks like mr.sundar will be getting away with this injustice. Indian Chess is doomed.
Sundar is a sadist and takes pleasure in demeaning players and parents.
Power corruption is far worse than money corruption. Koya’s days were much preferred by everyone and atleast by paying the money you could get things done!
Gopal is one of the brightest talents that India has.
This is such cruelty and injustice! Sundar has shown his true colors!!