Gokhale Sir's felicitation kicks off Anniversary year!

The felicitation of Dronacharya Awardee Raghunandan
Gokhale at the hands of GSCA Vice President
M.R. Naik at the Mir Sultan Khan Chess Academy, Sanvordem
marked the commencement of the 30th
anniversary celebrations of Goa State Chess Association.

Gokhale, who is also due to celebrate his 50th birthday
few days later, remarked that a chess revolution is truly
underway in the tiny state of Goa. Although he is the Chairman
of Maharashtra Chess Association, Gokhale mentioned that
he enjoyed sepnding time in Goa and this was largely due to
the fact that he had received lots of love and affection from the Goan
officials, parents and children.

Sameer A. Salgaocar, President of GSCA, stated that
on Goa's Liberation Day, it was only fitting that we felicitate the
gentleman who had liberated our Goan students from the days
of directionless chess. 'With the advent of the Dronacharya,
Goa has seen its children rise to become World, Asian, Commonwealth
and National Champions and that too in such a short period of time',
he added.

Tatvesh Savant, a product of the Academy, was presented a digital
clock on the occasion by Gokhale for becoming the Under 7 State
Champion. His pet student Bhakti Kulkarni was later presented a
digital camera for earning her first Woman Grandmaster norm. Finally,
it was Niraj Saripalli who received a cash award for becoming the first
Goan boy to stand in the top 10 of three different National Championships.

The function was well attended by the officials, parents and children.
Sanjay Kavlekar, the Academy in charge, presented the Vote of Thanks.