- Hosts Vibrant Diwali Cup, Promotes Sportsmanship and Festive Spirit
Jammu, October 20: Young chess prodigy Ishaan Choudhary emerged as the champion of the Diwali Cup Chess Tournament, bringing glory to the week-long celebration of sportsmanship and festive spirit organized at Vivek Chess Academy, Mast Garh, in the old city area of Jammu.
The event, which combined the joy of Diwali festivities with the strategic brilliance of chess, concluded today with a spirited prize distribution ceremony. The chief guest, Subash Chander Gupta, retired Lecturer from the Department of School Education, presented Ishaan with the championship trophy and a cash prize of ₹1,000. He congratulated the young participants and shared his insights on the value of discipline, patience, and mental focus that sports like chess cultivate among youth.
In the women’s category, Amrita Gupta clinched the top spot, followed by Anjali and Avni, who secured the second and third positions, respectively. The Under-12 category witnessed an exciting contest with Nitika taking the winner’s title, while Gunjan and Pearl bagged second and third places, respectively.
A total of 18 boys and girls participated in the tournament, which ran for eight days starting on October 13. The event was part of a broader series of festive sporting activities, including friendly matches of the traditional indoor game Carrom, to foster community engagement and recreation among young players.
Coach Vivek Bharati, the organizer and mentor at the academy, expressed pride in the enthusiasm shown by the participants. He highlighted the growing interest in chess among the youth and reiterated the academy’s commitment to nurturing local talent. “Our goal is to make sports an integral part of every child’s life. This Diwali Cup was not just about competition but also about celebration, learning, and joy,” Bharati said.
Adding a special festive touch, winners were presented with unique gifts, including eco-friendly and safe firecrackers, to encourage a joyful yet responsible Diwali celebration.
The tournament concluded with a message of discipline, strategy, and harmony, symbolizing how sports can be an instrument for both intellectual growth and social connection. The Vivek Chess Academy announced that it will continue hosting similar events to promote youth participation and skill development in the region.