Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa took a major step towards strengthening its chess ecosystem on Thursday with Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurating the Goa Chess Academy at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium.
The academy, a joint initiative of the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, the Sports Authority of Goa and the Goa Chess Association, aims to nurture talented players and develop world-class coaches across the state.
During the event, the Chief Minister also unveiled the official Goa Chess Jersey, underscoring the government’s vision of promoting chess at the grassroots level.
Grandmaster Ethan Vaz was felicitated with a cash award of ₹5 lakh for his achievements, while the Goa Chess Association received ₹20 lakh towards organising the prestigious Manohar Parrikar Chess Tournament, taking the total financial support announced at the event to ₹25 lakh.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sawant said the Goa Chess Academy would help build a strong pipeline of players and coaches, with plans to establish training centres in every taluka and set up a dedicated academy in South Goa.
He said the initiative would strengthen Goa’s presence on the national and international chess circuit, with the state aiming to host and participate in major events, including the FIDE World Cup, while promoting both mental excellence and physical fitness through the Fit India Movement.
