GSCA applauds coaching scheme (update)

The inclusion of Super Grandmaster Sasikiran
as one of those who volunteered to give coaching
under the AICF Scheme bears testimony to the fact
that this scheme will be a huge success in the
future. Altogether, four Grandmasters have come
forward to coach the young kids and that speaks
volumes of the goodwill that the AICF enjoys among
the player fraternity.

Disgruntled elements will always want to cast
aspersions. Notwithstanding that, the present
dispensation is marching from strength to strength.
We have won the Unified World Championship, the
Asian Team Championship, the Under 16 World Olympiad
as well as other numerous laurels for our country
in the past three years. Do we need to remind people
of the past AICF regime wherein out of frustration,
the players were finally forced to revolt under the
banner of the CPAI? That group wanted to take away
10 percent of the prize money and the present AICF
has reduced the registration fee by 50 percent. Is this
stark contrast not enough to show the difference between
the intentions of the two bodies?

Goan chess has emerged as a leading force under the
new dispensation and we pray that the good relations
between the AICF and the GSCA are maintained if not
strengthened with the passing of time. The allocation
of the National 'B' to Goa for the first time in the
history of the GSCA shows the confidence that it enjoys
within the echelons of the AICF body.

In the March 9th Executive Body meeting of the GSCA,
the following resolution was passed unanimously -


RESOLUTION

The Executive Body of the Goa State Chess Association
distances itself from the views of Mr. Shrikant Barve.
Whatever he has said is in his individual capacity.
The GSCA on the other hand congratulates the All India
Chess Federation for having come out with a scheme
which will make quality coaching affordable to even
the financially weak chess players. Everyone is not
superrich to bear the exorbitant rates charged by some
unrated coaches nowadays and here the AICF is providing
Grandmaster and International Master coaching at
affordable rates. We have confirmed information
from the AICF that some GMs are ready to even come
and coach for free. So what is the problem as far
as Mr. Barve is concerned?

Simultaneously, the GSCA would like to know where
the figure of 4-5 crores mentioned by Mr. Barve for
annual income of the AICF has been arrived at. We are
getting the Annual balance sheets of the AICF and the
figure is nowhere close to that mentioned in the newspaper.
Can Mr. Barve clarify this point please or else let
him publish an apology to the AICF?

A healthy relationship between the GSCA and the AICF
will only benefit the Goan chess fraternity. We are free
to voice our opinion whenever we want in a healthy democracy,
but as members of the Goa State Chess Association it is our
duty to first bring it up within the Association.
GSCA is of the unanimous opinion that chess in Goa
has been harmed by Mr. Barve's comments. In future,
whatever statements he makes, GSCA will not have
anything to do with it.