Hyderabad: The Aekagra International Open Rapid Chess Tournament was inaugurated by Telangana IT Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu at the second hall of HITEX Exhibition Centre.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Sridhar Babu said that chess plays a vital role in improving concentration among children and enhancing their intellectual abilities. He emphasized that success in chess comes only through hard work and consistent practice, adding that perseverance is the key to achievement. The Minister expressed happiness over hosting an international-level chess tournament in Hyderabad and noted that wins and losses are a natural part of the game. He encouraged players to keep playing and moving forward regardless of the outcome, assuring that success would eventually follow. He also stressed the importance of parental support in nurturing children’s interest in sports like chess.
At the beginning of the event, the organizers of Aekagra Academy felicitated Hyderabad-based twins Amaya Agarwal and Anay Agarwal, who trained at the academy and achieved FIDE ratings.
Speaking on the occasion, Telangana Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Patel Ramesh Reddy said it was gratifying to organize the tournament in Telangana with a prize money of ₹22,22,222. Nampally Assembly constituency contested MLA Feroz Khan congratulated all participants, from children to adults, for taking part in the competitions.
The event was attended by Grandmasters, International Masters, coaches, parents of young players, along with Prime 9 Vice President Lakshminarayana, academy directors Sandeep Naidu, Chaitanya, Girish Reddy, Soujanya Janu, and several others.
