Bengaluru, January 5, 2024: In a significant boost to the growing popularity of Chess among young Indians, the Adani Group has announced its support for the country's promising young chess talent 18-year-old Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa. This move underscores a growing trend in India, where chess is increasingly captivating the youth and garnering substantial support from various sectors, including corporate entities, as a viable and prestigious professional pursuit.
Speaking after meeting the young chess ace, Adani Group Chairman Mr Gautam Adani said, “We are extremely proud to support the dynamic Praggnanandhaa. The speed and efficiency with which he has progressed in the sport is nothing short of remarkable, and truly an example to all Indians. There is nothing more noble than representing the nation and winning laurels at the highest levels, and the Adani Group is wholeheartedly devoted to supporting athletes in this journey.”
Praggnanandhaa also expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from Adani Group. “I am extremely keen on ensuring that my country does well on the global stage. Whenever I play, my sole aim is to win more laurels for the nation. I would like to thank the Adani Group for putting their trust in my abilities,” said Praggnanandhaa.
In 2023, Praggnanandhaa became the world's youngest chess player to reach the World Cup final, and only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to achieve the feat. In 2022, the shy and soft-spoken teenager caused heads to turn in the world of chess by defeating Magnus Carlsen multiple times, shining the spotlight on India’s progress. The Chennai-based Praggnanandhaa, who loves mathematics and unwinds by watching TV or listening to Tamil music, also won the silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023.
Praggnanandhaa, who started playing at the tender age of 5, went on to become India’s youngest and the then world’s second youngest Grandmaster at age 12 in 2018. He is the fifth- youngest person ever to achieve the title of Grandmaster after Abhimanyu Mishra, Sergey Karjakin, Gukesh D and Javokhir Sindarov. Incidentally, his elder sister R. Vaishali is also a Grandmaster, which makes the siblings the world’s first ever brother-sister GM duo.
The Adani Group, through its flagship #GarvHai initiative, has supported 28 talented players across sports such as boxing, wrestling, tennis, javelin throw, shooting, running, shotput, brisk walking, and archery. Among those who benefited are Commonwealth Games gold medallist wrestlers Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Deepak Punia and boxer Amit Panghal. Dahiya and Punia also secured silver medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics 2020 and the 2023 Asian Games.
