Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has addressed the concerns raised by Indian chess player Tania Sachdev regarding the lack of recognition for her achievements by the Delhi government. On December 23, 2023, Tania took to social media to express her disappointment over the absence of state recognition for her significant accomplishments in chess, including a bronze medal in the 2022 Chess Olympiad and a historic gold medal at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.
Tania, who has been a prominent figure in Indian chess for many years, stated that despite representing India on the global stage since 2008, she has not received any acknowledgment from the Delhi government for her accomplishments. She pointed out that while other states have honored their players for similar feats, Delhi has yet to recognize her contributions to the sport. Her post specifically highlighted the importance of state support in motivating athletes and fostering talent.
"In 2022, I returned with a historic team bronze and an individual medal from the Chess Olympiad. Two years later, in 2024, I helped secure India's historic Chess Olympiad gold, yet there has been no recognition from the Delhi government," Tania shared in her social media post. She tagged Delhi CM Atishi and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal in the hope of drawing attention to the matter and urged them to support the state's chess players.
In response, Atishi, who is known for her support of athletes and sports initiatives, reached out to Tania and expressed a willingness to engage in a conversation to understand how the Delhi government could better support chess players. Atishi assured Tania that the Delhi government has always been supportive of athletes, particularly through various programs in schools, and expressed a desire to meet her and hear her thoughts and suggestions on improving the recognition and support for chess players in the state.
"Hi Tania, we have always supported all our athletes, sportsmen, and sportswomen, especially in our schools. Would love to meet you and understand what more can be done, especially for chess players. My office will reach out to you, and I am really looking forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions," Atishi wrote in her reply.
Tania's concerns stem from the fact that, unlike her, other members of the Indian women’s chess team that won the historic gold medal at the 2024 Chess Olympiad have been rewarded by their respective state governments. For instance, D Harika and R Vaishali received Rs 25 lakh each from the Tamil Nadu and Telangana governments, while Divya Deshmukh was awarded Rs one crore by Maharashtra for their contributions to the victory. Tania, however, has yet to receive similar recognition from Delhi.
Tania’s achievements include not only the team bronze and gold at the Chess Olympiads but also an individual bronze at the 2022 Chess Olympiad, marking her as one of India's top chess players. She became the eighth Indian woman to earn the Woman Grandmaster title in 2005 and won the Indian Women's Championship title twice in 2006 and 2007. Tania's dedication to the sport and her consistent performance on the international stage have made her one of the most respected chess players in India.
The conversation between Tania Sachdev and Delhi CM Atishi opens the door for further discussions about how the state can better support chess players and other athletes who bring pride to the nation through their hard work and achievements.
