A huge controversy started when a question appeared on "Yahoo Answers" in the third week of February 2008 when someone by the name of Kapil Deo asked:
"Is Indian Chess Federation downgrading coaches by offering meagre coaching fee of Rs. 1000/- for Grand Master"
In the note to above question there was a reference to the circular issued on Jan 11 2008 by All India Chess Federation (AICF) The wording of the circular is as follows;
"Appeal to Our Senior Players / IMS' / WIM's / GM's / WGM's / FM's and coaches
AICF proposes to short list the names of coaches who are interested to coach our players and prepare them for National and International tournaments. Those interested are requested to send a mail to AICF with their Bio-data and achievements in coaching if any. The AICF shall pay Rs.10,000/- for GM's and RS.7,000/- or Rs 5000/- for others for a ten day coaching programme. For outstation coaches AICF will reimburse, on production of tickets, third A/c train fare and shall take care of the local hospitality. Those interested may kindly send your mail immediately."
I had read the circular when it was appeared on AICF website and had also expressed my views on ill effects of this circular for chess in India to the chess fraternity in Goa.
This is what I said:
"Mr. Srinivasn President of AICF and Mr. Srinivasan Treaserer of BCCI are the same person I am told... As BCCI Treasurer and Chairman of India Cements, Chennai, Srinivasan has picked up Dhoni for 6 crores .... and as AICF president he is offering Grand Masters Rs.1000/- for a day..... This is how Top brass of Chess in India think of chess players......"
My answer to the above question resulted in such a furious reaction that today I am "Suspended pending inquiry" by the AICF. It only means that I can not play in chess tournament organised on behalf of AICF or Goa State Chess Association (GSCA).
Why has there been such uproar over expressing my personal opinion? Surely there must be something more than meets the eye?
Let me explain. Nowadays chess coaching is becoming a professional activity. I have brought players of the calibre of Shri O. T. Anilkumar (Kerala State Champion), B. Shivanand (Karnataka State Champion) to my Academy to coach some of my student and other bright young chess players from Goa. They charge Rs.2000/- per day in addition I had to give them decent lodging and boarding. Nether one of them are International Masters but both of them have superb understanding of the game.
These charges, one may think is expensive. But the parents of serious chess players are willing to spend this amount because they know that it is an investment for the future. Firstly because Chess gives a boost to the IQ of the child.
Secondly because if the child reaches even to the level of B. Shivanand or Anilkumar they can earn good prize money by playing in open chess tournaments.
Thirdly the player can himself or herself become a coach and earn an income that is comparable to that of a Doctor or an Engineer.
Given this scenario what has AICF done by prescribing fees of Rs.1000 per day for GMs when nowadays the minimum appearance money by a GM for a chess tournament is Rs.30000/- as per Dronacharya Awardee chess coach R. Gokhale. Mr. Gokhale had said this in an interview to Jovito
Lopes for The Navhind Times Feb 18, 2008.
(See http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=021819)
What will happen if one goes to the government authorities for sponsorship for coaches? The Government babu will point out that when AICF prescribes Rs.1000 per day for GM's level coach why should they pay the normal charges of minimum Rs,5000/- . Similar can be the case at corporate houses, NGOs or other bodies.
In turn no IM or GM worth the name will be willing to coach at the ridiculous fees prescribed by AICF.
As per circular issued by AICF on March 27 2008, only 19, that too for 7 to 10 days in a year, have offered their services to the AICF to coach players who are likely to represent India at International
tournaments. When the requirement is many times more and also in reality the availability of coaches who actually train these selective players is also many times more.
But there is a further twist to this story. It is my opinion that the AICF never ever wanted an Indian GM's or IM's or even FM's to coach at the rates they offer. They know very well that nobody will accept their offer.
Why? Because in this scenario they can approach the Govt. of India and other sponsoring agency to requisition foreign coaches.GM's and IM's are easily available from cash strapped former East European and Soviet countries out of which a substantial amount will be siphoned off by the AICF administrators and the actual amount given to the foreign coach will be much less.
The end result of this will be two fold
A. The avenues for Indian players and coaches for making a living out of chess will be diminished.
B. The avenues for making money by employing foreign coaches, who will never be genuinely interested in Indian Chess will increase.
As a result, this measure will slowly result in the murder of Indian Chess.
If this explanation is wrong can anybody explain better why the AICF had to react, in the manner they have reacted, to my simple answer?
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Chess in Mess in India
Shrikant Barve is being accused by Sameer Salgaocar, President of Goa State Chess Assosiation(GSCA) that by answering a Yahoo question, Barve has attacked the All IndiaChess Federation (AICF).
In Yahoo Answers to the question
"Is Indian Chess Federation downgrading coaches by offering meagre coaching fee of Rs. 1000/- for Grand Master"
Barve wrote:
Mr. Srinivasn President of AICF and Srinivasn Treaserer of BCCI are same person I am told... Chennai has picked up Dhone for 6 crores .... and AICF president is offering Grand Master Rs.1000/- for a day..... This is how Top brass of Chess in India think of chess players......” Barve's answer was adjudged the best
How do we know all this?
Because Mr SalgaoCar decided to publicise what was a trival matter onto the Goanet and other media.
Therefore, if Barve's crime is of writing in a relatively obscure e-space, Salgaocar's crime is manifold greater for he has educated all of us what a sham the AICF is turning out to be.
We are all now going to watch if the most sincere promoter of Chess in Goa
is going to be sacrificed at the altar of crawling before the AICF and if the rest in the GSCA are going to play Nero's guests.
Whatever be Barve's punishment, Salgaokar should recieve the same multiplied many times over. For Salgaokar's crime is greater than Barve's (if what Barve did will be termed a crime). Does the GSCA constitution say that one cannot participate in any discussion on Chess on the internet?
Secondly does Sreenevasan want to undermine the game, players and coaches
and does Salgaokar approve of such negative attitudes.
Do we believe in democracy and free expression?
Barve is undoubredly the most enthusiastic and selfless promoter of Chess in Goa. And harsh action against such a sincere person will be unfair especially when the slight, if at all it maybe called a slight, is being unnecessarily blown out of proportion.
Let's hope better counsel will prevail and no moves will be initiated to checkmate
the game of chess and its greatest servant in Goa.
AICF President “Why Rs.10 lacks for Dhoni and only Rs.1000 for GM”
There was a question on yahoo answers;
"Is Indian Chess Federation downgrading coaches by offering meagre coaching fee of Rs. 1000/- for Grand Master"
Barve wrote: Mr. Srinivasn President of AICF and Srinivasn Treaserer of BCCI are same person I am told... Chennai has picked up Dhone for 6 crores .... and AICF president is offering Grand Master Rs.1000/- for a day..... This is how Top brass of Chess in India think of chess players......” Barve's answer was adjudged the best.
Answer given on “Yahoo Answers” or other Q/A are simple instinct of answerer.
Because of this reply Goa State Chess Association (GSCA) asked Shrikant Barve to clarify his stand. All India Chess Federation (AICF) Vice President and President of Goastate Chess Association Shri Sameer Anil Salgaokar has threatened me that I may have to face LIFE BAN. The matter is reported to AICF by GSCA.
I Shrikant Barve is firm on the words used in the answer and asked Executive Committee for which I was invitee on what grounds should I clariy my position of word. And also said further that I would like to repeat those words furthermore I want to substantiate them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Owner of one of India Premier League’s franchisee - the Chennai cricket team - N Srinivasan, Vice Chairman & MD of India Cement and President of All India Chess Federation N. Srinivasan interview with CNBC-TV18
http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/ipl-team-owners-confident-earning-revenues-post-splurge/17/00/327311.
Q: We would like to know the possibility on how you would leverage individual players that you have bid for having paid so much for the time already? Is there a specific marketing strategy that will come in for each player that will work as a revenue generation model going ahead or will you essentially look at generating individual value from all of your players?
Owner of one of India Premier League’s franchisee - the Chennai cricket team - N Srinivasan, Vice Chairman & MD of India Cement and President of All India Chess Federation N. Srinivasan interview with CNBC-TV18
Srinivasan: I explained to you that there are huge revenue streams coming in. All of us have gone with what we think is going to be matchwinning team or combinations. Ultimately the quality of cricket we deliver is what is going to bring in the people. We believe the stadiums will be packed, we believe we will get excellent crowds. We are not looking at this as some kind of proposition where we will lose money.
There are two separate aspects. One is, we want to bring in good quality cricket. We are people who have been associated with cricket for a very long time. We believe we have a match-winning combination.
The second aspect is we believe that this is also not going to be a losing proposition and ultimately the value of this franchise is like a right in a territory. This will grow by leaps and bounds. I do not know what you are trying to get at. But we believe it is a win-win situation, win for the players, win for the public, and win for the franchise owners.
Mr. N Srinivasan is all so a President of AICF.
In regard to whatever he has said about Cricket and Cricketer’s, I want to ask as a simple ordinary member of AICf and a citizen of India . “ What he think of Chess and a Chess Player, particularly of Grandmasters.”
Mahendrasingh Dhoni might be playing for about maximum of 60 days in three years ..... he is offered 6 crore i.e. Rs.10,00,000 per day.
You are also a President of AICF, by a circular, you have told GM to submit their biodata (There are only 16 Gm in India) and offered Rs.10,000 for 10 day coaching. i.e. Rs.1000/- per day.
Needless ruckus over Barve’s Comments
There was certainly no need for an uproar such as the one we are witnessing in Goan chess today. Shrikant Barve made some observations on the net on All India Chess Federation circular that spelt fees to GMs/IMs for coaching that they would impart to players around the country. If Barve, who is a life member of the state chess association (GSCA) chose the wrong forum to express his views, the wiser men in the association also made the same mistake. The GSCA, unnecessarily, got worked up. It was a personal and unilateral opinion, and theirs is no reason why GSCA should even take serious notice of it as along as it (Association) was not dragged in to the controversy it or it did not cause the game in the state to come to a halt. It appears that Barve’s detractors were lying in waiting for a lame excuse to checkmate the man behind the success story of Taleigao Chess Academy.
The past come to haunt
About a year ago, I had got a whiff of behind –the-back scenes as the growing stature of Barve through numerous competitions for youngsters and his so-called ‘success’ with the coaching regiment for beginners was making some prominent chess buffs uneasy. When I enquired whether he has blessings of the Association to conduct various activities, he just gave me wry smile. I did not want to pursue the matter, but was certainly expecting a tirade against him. His detractors finally grabbed the opportunity when Barve posted his comments on the AICF circular on the net. They even tried to dig into his unglorious past, which I think is of no concern as long as he’s helping in development of the game.
More knowledgeable men in GSCA
The most difficult job of a coach in any game is to impart the basics to his pupils. The sporting fraternity in the state would want to know whether Barve’s style of functioning or his presence is good for the game to prosper or in he’s charging exorbitant fees. If his resume of an ‘unrecognized and unrated’ coach is not suitable for providing the best of training, the GSCA should create an awareness about it so that the parents refrain from sending their children to the Academy. With almost all its members quite knowledgeable of the game, some as much as Barve and many even more than him, it would be better for GSCA to start its own academy. I’m sure that the members, whenever required, would certainly offer their time and services for free as much as the GMs/IMs from outside the state – Goa has no GMs or IMs- have offered to do so. In case the AICF imposes a life ban on Barve, he will certainly not be able to use the services of the GSCA. But can they stop him from conducting training sessions? If they can’t, a similar situation like in taekwondo may occur, wherein players trained by Barve may not be allowed to participate in various competitions in the state. With Sameer Salgaocar at helm, chess has taken an upswing mode in the state but these bickerings won’t do any good.
Merits and demerits
Coming to the AICF circular, it merely puts a curb on the fees that were being charges by the rated coaches until now. Without doubt, the circular that prescribes a fee of Rs.10,000 for GMs and Rs.7000 to Rs.5000 for others for a 10 day coaching stint, has its merit and demerits. The main advantage is that it will make the accessibility to quality training for aspiring players easier. The disadvantage is as Barve describes it will set a bench mark’ because when our own players turn into GMs and IMs and would want to train younger players they will have to accept the fees without a murmur or just shy away from such a scheme. The poor remuneration may act as an obstacle for players in their decision to make a career out of chess and eventually it could lead to a dearth of coaches.
By SIMON ALPHONSNO on GT WEEKENDER Dated Mar 16 Pg 14
I have read the press note issued by Samir Salgaocar, President of the Goa State Chess Association(GSCA), the contents of which will leave an extremely bad taste in the mouth and show the association in extremely poor light.
Unlike most other sports associations which are mismanaged, the “GSCA” is one of the better run ones and I had literally sung the hymns in awe of Samir Salgaocar while speaking to a friend of his just a few days back, for all the good work he has been doing as its President. To my utter shock and disbelief, the President now drops this bombshell.
In the said press note, Mr. Salgaocar has criticized Mr. Barve’s “so called outburst” against the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and has even gone to the extent of convening a meeting to discuss the same. I am not a professional chess player but am an avid chess enthusiast, I do follow the game closely and, as a member of JCI St. Inez, we regularly organize Chess Tournaments for school children. Though I do not know Mr. Shrikant Barve personally and never had the opportunity to meet him, I remember, on one occasion a couple of years back, when we had an unpredictably huge response of participating children for our tournament and we did not have enough chess boards to meet our requirement, we called up Mr. Barve who instantly obliged without even a second thought.
Mr. Barve’s contributions to Chess in the city are second to none. Today, any avid young chess enthusiast will have the name of the “Taleigao Chess Academy” on his or her lips. If my memory serves me right, there were close to 300 children in the most recent tournament that the Academy organized in the International Center at Dona Paola, such is the magic and hype he has managed to create and the impact he has on the game in the State today.
The contents of the press note will surely raise a few eyebrows and will make one wonder whether we are really living in a democratic country or not, whether we really have democratic set-ups in our institutions or not. Mr. Barve made a few observations on the game in his independent capacity, which is his due right as a sportsman and more importantly as per the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and free expression that he enjoys as a citizen of India.
In fact, he has hit the nail right on its head when he has pointed out the glaring disparities between cricket and other sports, in this case Chess. Isn’t it a fact that on the International arena, the achievements of our cricketers would pale in comparison when compared to those of our Chess Players like Vishwanathan Anand or even our own 8 year old Ivana? And if Mr. Barve wants the Chess Coaches and Players to earn more money, what, may I ask, is wrong with that? Isn’t this a sincere demand made having the interests of the players at large? Has the power of office gone to Mr. Salgaocar’s head to such an extent that he thinks he can take away the fundamental rights vested to every citizen by our Country’s Constitution?
Or do we see some hidden agenda here, the stink being kicked up for some other reasons? Is Mr. Salgaocar, who presently occupies an important post in the present managing committee of the “AICF” using this incident to boost his own image in the eyes of his bosses in the “AICF”, as he has his own eyes set on the highest post? Is Mr Salgaocar singing these tunes for his own supper?
Having said this, I have no problems whatever, if the meeting is being convened to discuss issues other than the ones I have mentioned above, as I have not yet
applied my mind to the same.
Cheers
Sandeep Heble
Panjim-Goa
AICF circular: a case of misinterpretation?
The Indian chess federation’s circular gets murkier day by day, at least to the discerning eye, if one reads the vague answers (to my email query) provided by a stalwart like Praful Zaveri, the FIDE instructor from Mumbai, who is closely associated with the game, and same being endorsed by own Sameerbab, who is the vice-president of the body controlling the game of 64 squares in the country. So much so that Zaveri relates the AICF circular to a press release of a film, saying that the reviews of a film are written after watching it and so according to him, Shrikant Barve should have first seen the `chess film` unfolding at the AICF executive committee meeting on March 27 before posting his comments on the net. Which in other words means that it is AICF’s usual procedure of announcing such plans in detail following an executive committee meet, much after putting the circular on its website.
Zaveri’s merry-go-round
And by the way why did Zaveri chose to do the merry-go-round, when I asked him (through email) to use his good offices with the AICF bosses to get in a straighter circular which could be understood by all and sundry without requiring to do any guessing work (or interpretation) of its contents. That Zaveri chose to forward a copy of his `merry-go-round’ reply to Sameer is quite understandable but I do fail to understand what Sameer tried to indicate by redirecting that reply to me along with his compliments sent to the Mumbai official. Why the hell would I be interested in knowing how Sameer complimented Zaveri for his reply to my query? Did Sameer thought it was a tit-for-tat reply and therefore tried to taunt me? Well I reproduced in the adjoining space what I asked Zaveri and his subsequent replies. Looks like there is more to it than what meets the eye.
The missing link
Interestingly, according to Zaveri, the circular should be interpreted as Rs 1000 per session, which in his opinion would amount to Rs 30,000 for a 10-day period if the GMs were to conduct three sessions of 90 minutes each day. So what’s missing in the circular are only the words “per session of 90 minutes each”. Whether the GM conducts more sessions per day is secondary here. It would be a Herculean task indeed. But what’s the need for the AICF to unravel the `suspense’ at the executive committee meeting if the circular just has a few words from the jigsaw puzzle missing. Was it really AICF’s intention not to reveal the exciting part of the story till it’s meeting in Chennai?
Questions and more questions
If what Zaveri says is true, wasn’t Sameerbab, being an important member of the Federation, aware of it? Instead of Zaveri providing the answers, why didn’t he (Sameerbab) tell the Taleigao Chess Academy secretary that he had not interpreted the circular correctly? If that is the case, I am sure, Barve would have certainly relented. Not even the members of the state association’s executive committee were apprised of such hidden meanings in the circular, when they met on March 9 to decide on action to be taken against Barve. Or did he not let out the `secret’ because he wanted to put Barve in the dock?
I do not want to comment on whether Barve was right or wrong in venting his frustration at the AICF circular or whether he ought to be banned for it. What, however puzzles me is that the AICF is not forthcoming on its own decision over a trivial matter and is instead waiting for its Executive meeting to reveal the story in detail. Wouldn’t it have been better to douse the fire as soon as it was spotted?
Simon Alphonso GT Weekender Page 14 dt 23/03/08 GOA
Chess Coaching Programme :
It’s a Big Big failures of All India Chess Federation
India has 28 states and 7 Union Territories. Total 35
(10 Selected chess players from age group of 7 to 15 ) tot 35 X 10 = 350
Ideal group for coaching for same level chess player is 4 .
Demand is 350/4 = 87 coaching unit
Only 4 GM, 5 IM, 1 WGM, 1WIM and 8 others (total 19)opted for 7 to 10 days coaching in a year.
Not even 25 percent of Demand of Selected few chess players.
There are around 100 IMs level or more chess players in India. Less then 12% of them opted for Coaching young players.
NOT for POOR
Best players will be selected on the basis of their skills in chess. Only those who have undergone good coaching will get selected. Criteria of selection is not income of a family….
It is only due to bad remuneration offered by AICF.
If all these people are ready to come to Goa for a fee of Rs.2500/- per day, it is still far short of Demand that exist in Goa today. Main reason; Parents want their child to be rated in Nataional B to be held in Zambaulim from September 15.
I have been suspended by the circular link given below;
AICF Gives Boost For Training
http://www.indianchessfed.org/News/2008/March/aicfccmeeting27.03.2008.asp
My other reaction, after I receive notice from AICF.
Shrikant Vinayak Barve
In Yahoo Answers to the question
"Is Indian Chess Federation downgrading coaches by offering meagre coaching fee of Rs. 1000/- for Grand Master"
Barve wrote:
Mr. Srinivasn President of AICF and Srinivasn Treaserer of BCCI are same person I am told... Chennai has picked up Dhone for 6 crores .... and AICF president is offering Grand Master Rs.1000/- for a day..... This is how Top brass of Chess in India think of chess players......” Barve's answer was adjudged the best
How do we know all this?
Because Mr SalgaoCar decided to publicise what was a trival matter onto the Goanet and other media.
Therefore, if Barve's crime is of writing in a relatively obscure e-space, Salgaocar's crime is manifold greater for he has educated all of us what a sham the AICF is turning out to be.
We are all now going to watch if the most sincere promoter of Chess in Goa
is going to be sacrificed at the altar of crawling before the AICF and if the rest in the GSCA are going to play Nero's guests.
Whatever be Barve's punishment, Salgaokar should recieve the same multiplied many times over. For Salgaokar's crime is greater than Barve's (if what Barve did will be termed a crime). Does the GSCA constitution say that one cannot participate in any discussion on Chess on the internet?
Secondly does Sreenevasan want to undermine the game, players and coaches
and does Salgaokar approve of such negative attitudes.
Do we believe in democracy and free expression?
Barve is undoubredly the most enthusiastic and selfless promoter of Chess in Goa. And harsh action against such a sincere person will be unfair especially when the slight, if at all it maybe called a slight, is being unnecessarily blown out of proportion.
Let's hope better counsel will prevail and no moves will be initiated to checkmate
the game of chess and its greatest servant in Goa.
AICF President “Why Rs.10 lacks for Dhoni and only Rs.1000 for GM”
There was a question on yahoo answers;
"Is Indian Chess Federation downgrading coaches by offering meagre coaching fee of Rs. 1000/- for Grand Master"
Barve wrote: Mr. Srinivasn President of AICF and Srinivasn Treaserer of BCCI are same person I am told... Chennai has picked up Dhone for 6 crores .... and AICF president is offering Grand Master Rs.1000/- for a day..... This is how Top brass of Chess in India think of chess players......” Barve's answer was adjudged the best.
Answer given on “Yahoo Answers” or other Q/A are simple instinct of answerer.
Because of this reply Goa State Chess Association (GSCA) asked Shrikant Barve to clarify his stand. All India Chess Federation (AICF) Vice President and President of Goastate Chess Association Shri Sameer Anil Salgaokar has threatened me that I may have to face LIFE BAN. The matter is reported to AICF by GSCA.
I Shrikant Barve is firm on the words used in the answer and asked Executive Committee for which I was invitee on what grounds should I clariy my position of word. And also said further that I would like to repeat those words furthermore I want to substantiate them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Owner of one of India Premier League’s franchisee - the Chennai cricket team - N Srinivasan, Vice Chairman & MD of India Cement and President of All India Chess Federation N. Srinivasan interview with CNBC-TV18
http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/ipl-team-owners-confident-earning-revenues-post-splurge/17/00/327311.
Q: We would like to know the possibility on how you would leverage individual players that you have bid for having paid so much for the time already? Is there a specific marketing strategy that will come in for each player that will work as a revenue generation model going ahead or will you essentially look at generating individual value from all of your players?
Owner of one of India Premier League’s franchisee - the Chennai cricket team - N Srinivasan, Vice Chairman & MD of India Cement and President of All India Chess Federation N. Srinivasan interview with CNBC-TV18
Srinivasan: I explained to you that there are huge revenue streams coming in. All of us have gone with what we think is going to be matchwinning team or combinations. Ultimately the quality of cricket we deliver is what is going to bring in the people. We believe the stadiums will be packed, we believe we will get excellent crowds. We are not looking at this as some kind of proposition where we will lose money.
There are two separate aspects. One is, we want to bring in good quality cricket. We are people who have been associated with cricket for a very long time. We believe we have a match-winning combination.
The second aspect is we believe that this is also not going to be a losing proposition and ultimately the value of this franchise is like a right in a territory. This will grow by leaps and bounds. I do not know what you are trying to get at. But we believe it is a win-win situation, win for the players, win for the public, and win for the franchise owners.
Mr. N Srinivasan is all so a President of AICF.
In regard to whatever he has said about Cricket and Cricketer’s, I want to ask as a simple ordinary member of AICf and a citizen of India . “ What he think of Chess and a Chess Player, particularly of Grandmasters.”
Mahendrasingh Dhoni might be playing for about maximum of 60 days in three years ..... he is offered 6 crore i.e. Rs.10,00,000 per day.
You are also a President of AICF, by a circular, you have told GM to submit their biodata (There are only 16 Gm in India) and offered Rs.10,000 for 10 day coaching. i.e. Rs.1000/- per day.
Needless ruckus over Barve’s Comments
There was certainly no need for an uproar such as the one we are witnessing in Goan chess today. Shrikant Barve made some observations on the net on All India Chess Federation circular that spelt fees to GMs/IMs for coaching that they would impart to players around the country. If Barve, who is a life member of the state chess association (GSCA) chose the wrong forum to express his views, the wiser men in the association also made the same mistake. The GSCA, unnecessarily, got worked up. It was a personal and unilateral opinion, and theirs is no reason why GSCA should even take serious notice of it as along as it (Association) was not dragged in to the controversy it or it did not cause the game in the state to come to a halt. It appears that Barve’s detractors were lying in waiting for a lame excuse to checkmate the man behind the success story of Taleigao Chess Academy.
The past come to haunt
About a year ago, I had got a whiff of behind –the-back scenes as the growing stature of Barve through numerous competitions for youngsters and his so-called ‘success’ with the coaching regiment for beginners was making some prominent chess buffs uneasy. When I enquired whether he has blessings of the Association to conduct various activities, he just gave me wry smile. I did not want to pursue the matter, but was certainly expecting a tirade against him. His detractors finally grabbed the opportunity when Barve posted his comments on the AICF circular on the net. They even tried to dig into his unglorious past, which I think is of no concern as long as he’s helping in development of the game.
More knowledgeable men in GSCA
The most difficult job of a coach in any game is to impart the basics to his pupils. The sporting fraternity in the state would want to know whether Barve’s style of functioning or his presence is good for the game to prosper or in he’s charging exorbitant fees. If his resume of an ‘unrecognized and unrated’ coach is not suitable for providing the best of training, the GSCA should create an awareness about it so that the parents refrain from sending their children to the Academy. With almost all its members quite knowledgeable of the game, some as much as Barve and many even more than him, it would be better for GSCA to start its own academy. I’m sure that the members, whenever required, would certainly offer their time and services for free as much as the GMs/IMs from outside the state – Goa has no GMs or IMs- have offered to do so. In case the AICF imposes a life ban on Barve, he will certainly not be able to use the services of the GSCA. But can they stop him from conducting training sessions? If they can’t, a similar situation like in taekwondo may occur, wherein players trained by Barve may not be allowed to participate in various competitions in the state. With Sameer Salgaocar at helm, chess has taken an upswing mode in the state but these bickerings won’t do any good.
Merits and demerits
Coming to the AICF circular, it merely puts a curb on the fees that were being charges by the rated coaches until now. Without doubt, the circular that prescribes a fee of Rs.10,000 for GMs and Rs.7000 to Rs.5000 for others for a 10 day coaching stint, has its merit and demerits. The main advantage is that it will make the accessibility to quality training for aspiring players easier. The disadvantage is as Barve describes it will set a bench mark’ because when our own players turn into GMs and IMs and would want to train younger players they will have to accept the fees without a murmur or just shy away from such a scheme. The poor remuneration may act as an obstacle for players in their decision to make a career out of chess and eventually it could lead to a dearth of coaches.
By SIMON ALPHONSNO on GT WEEKENDER Dated Mar 16 Pg 14
I have read the press note issued by Samir Salgaocar, President of the Goa State Chess Association(GSCA), the contents of which will leave an extremely bad taste in the mouth and show the association in extremely poor light.
Unlike most other sports associations which are mismanaged, the “GSCA” is one of the better run ones and I had literally sung the hymns in awe of Samir Salgaocar while speaking to a friend of his just a few days back, for all the good work he has been doing as its President. To my utter shock and disbelief, the President now drops this bombshell.
In the said press note, Mr. Salgaocar has criticized Mr. Barve’s “so called outburst” against the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and has even gone to the extent of convening a meeting to discuss the same. I am not a professional chess player but am an avid chess enthusiast, I do follow the game closely and, as a member of JCI St. Inez, we regularly organize Chess Tournaments for school children. Though I do not know Mr. Shrikant Barve personally and never had the opportunity to meet him, I remember, on one occasion a couple of years back, when we had an unpredictably huge response of participating children for our tournament and we did not have enough chess boards to meet our requirement, we called up Mr. Barve who instantly obliged without even a second thought.
Mr. Barve’s contributions to Chess in the city are second to none. Today, any avid young chess enthusiast will have the name of the “Taleigao Chess Academy” on his or her lips. If my memory serves me right, there were close to 300 children in the most recent tournament that the Academy organized in the International Center at Dona Paola, such is the magic and hype he has managed to create and the impact he has on the game in the State today.
The contents of the press note will surely raise a few eyebrows and will make one wonder whether we are really living in a democratic country or not, whether we really have democratic set-ups in our institutions or not. Mr. Barve made a few observations on the game in his independent capacity, which is his due right as a sportsman and more importantly as per the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and free expression that he enjoys as a citizen of India.
In fact, he has hit the nail right on its head when he has pointed out the glaring disparities between cricket and other sports, in this case Chess. Isn’t it a fact that on the International arena, the achievements of our cricketers would pale in comparison when compared to those of our Chess Players like Vishwanathan Anand or even our own 8 year old Ivana? And if Mr. Barve wants the Chess Coaches and Players to earn more money, what, may I ask, is wrong with that? Isn’t this a sincere demand made having the interests of the players at large? Has the power of office gone to Mr. Salgaocar’s head to such an extent that he thinks he can take away the fundamental rights vested to every citizen by our Country’s Constitution?
Or do we see some hidden agenda here, the stink being kicked up for some other reasons? Is Mr. Salgaocar, who presently occupies an important post in the present managing committee of the “AICF” using this incident to boost his own image in the eyes of his bosses in the “AICF”, as he has his own eyes set on the highest post? Is Mr Salgaocar singing these tunes for his own supper?
Having said this, I have no problems whatever, if the meeting is being convened to discuss issues other than the ones I have mentioned above, as I have not yet
applied my mind to the same.
Cheers
Sandeep Heble
Panjim-Goa
AICF circular: a case of misinterpretation?
The Indian chess federation’s circular gets murkier day by day, at least to the discerning eye, if one reads the vague answers (to my email query) provided by a stalwart like Praful Zaveri, the FIDE instructor from Mumbai, who is closely associated with the game, and same being endorsed by own Sameerbab, who is the vice-president of the body controlling the game of 64 squares in the country. So much so that Zaveri relates the AICF circular to a press release of a film, saying that the reviews of a film are written after watching it and so according to him, Shrikant Barve should have first seen the `chess film` unfolding at the AICF executive committee meeting on March 27 before posting his comments on the net. Which in other words means that it is AICF’s usual procedure of announcing such plans in detail following an executive committee meet, much after putting the circular on its website.
Zaveri’s merry-go-round
And by the way why did Zaveri chose to do the merry-go-round, when I asked him (through email) to use his good offices with the AICF bosses to get in a straighter circular which could be understood by all and sundry without requiring to do any guessing work (or interpretation) of its contents. That Zaveri chose to forward a copy of his `merry-go-round’ reply to Sameer is quite understandable but I do fail to understand what Sameer tried to indicate by redirecting that reply to me along with his compliments sent to the Mumbai official. Why the hell would I be interested in knowing how Sameer complimented Zaveri for his reply to my query? Did Sameer thought it was a tit-for-tat reply and therefore tried to taunt me? Well I reproduced in the adjoining space what I asked Zaveri and his subsequent replies. Looks like there is more to it than what meets the eye.
The missing link
Interestingly, according to Zaveri, the circular should be interpreted as Rs 1000 per session, which in his opinion would amount to Rs 30,000 for a 10-day period if the GMs were to conduct three sessions of 90 minutes each day. So what’s missing in the circular are only the words “per session of 90 minutes each”. Whether the GM conducts more sessions per day is secondary here. It would be a Herculean task indeed. But what’s the need for the AICF to unravel the `suspense’ at the executive committee meeting if the circular just has a few words from the jigsaw puzzle missing. Was it really AICF’s intention not to reveal the exciting part of the story till it’s meeting in Chennai?
Questions and more questions
If what Zaveri says is true, wasn’t Sameerbab, being an important member of the Federation, aware of it? Instead of Zaveri providing the answers, why didn’t he (Sameerbab) tell the Taleigao Chess Academy secretary that he had not interpreted the circular correctly? If that is the case, I am sure, Barve would have certainly relented. Not even the members of the state association’s executive committee were apprised of such hidden meanings in the circular, when they met on March 9 to decide on action to be taken against Barve. Or did he not let out the `secret’ because he wanted to put Barve in the dock?
I do not want to comment on whether Barve was right or wrong in venting his frustration at the AICF circular or whether he ought to be banned for it. What, however puzzles me is that the AICF is not forthcoming on its own decision over a trivial matter and is instead waiting for its Executive meeting to reveal the story in detail. Wouldn’t it have been better to douse the fire as soon as it was spotted?
Simon Alphonso GT Weekender Page 14 dt 23/03/08 GOA
Chess Coaching Programme :
It’s a Big Big failures of All India Chess Federation
India has 28 states and 7 Union Territories. Total 35
(10 Selected chess players from age group of 7 to 15 ) tot 35 X 10 = 350
Ideal group for coaching for same level chess player is 4 .
Demand is 350/4 = 87 coaching unit
Only 4 GM, 5 IM, 1 WGM, 1WIM and 8 others (total 19)opted for 7 to 10 days coaching in a year.
Not even 25 percent of Demand of Selected few chess players.
There are around 100 IMs level or more chess players in India. Less then 12% of them opted for Coaching young players.
NOT for POOR
Best players will be selected on the basis of their skills in chess. Only those who have undergone good coaching will get selected. Criteria of selection is not income of a family….
It is only due to bad remuneration offered by AICF.
If all these people are ready to come to Goa for a fee of Rs.2500/- per day, it is still far short of Demand that exist in Goa today. Main reason; Parents want their child to be rated in Nataional B to be held in Zambaulim from September 15.
I have been suspended by the circular link given below;
AICF Gives Boost For Training
http://www.indianchessfed.org/News/2008/March/aicfccmeeting27.03.2008.asp
My other reaction, after I receive notice from AICF.
Shrikant Vinayak Barve
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