State Level Chess Competition for the Visually Impaired - 2014

State Level Chess Competition for the Visually Challenged -2014 Hotel Radha Regent Event Summary Preparations for the tournament started on the previous day itself . On the early morning of  Saturday 16th August 2014, All visually impaired  chess players were taken to the Hotel Radha Regent . These players were from different districts of Tamilnadu. They were provided with heavy breakfast with variety of dishes at 7 AM. From Left to Right Thiru C.Govinda Krishnan, Founder Nethrodaya, Thiru Retd. Commodore R S Vasan, Patron Nethrodaya, Thiru.Shivasankaran IAS , Principal Secretary ,Welfare of Differently Abled persons, Government of Tamilnadu, Hon’ble Justice Thiru.Kirupakaran, Madras High court,Thiru Dinesh, MD Kovai Pazhamudir Nilayam,and and Thiru Mukundan ,CEO Flexol The Inaugural Function At 8.30 AM the inauguration  ceremony of the event began .Hon’ble Justice  Thiru.Kirupakaran, Madras High court ,Thiru.Shivasankaran IAS , Principal Secretary ,Welfare of Differently Abled  persons, Government of Tamilnadu , Thiru Dinesh, MD Kovai Pazhamudir Nilayam,and and Thiru Mukundan ,CEO of Flexol  graced the occasion . Justice Kirupakaran unveiled the trophies and congratulated the players .Thiru  Shivasankaran  appreciated  Nethrodaya for organizing the competition for the visually impaired players and  requested  others who are involved in the welfare of differently  abled persons to organize similar competitions to encourage   sporting activities   of  differently abled players. Other dignitaries encouraged and extended unconditional support for future tournaments. Visually impaired players playing at their best The Game The Event started at 9 AM which went on till 1.15 PM .There were 4 rounds and the total participants were 118 .The audience which  included parents  and friends of the visually impaired player’s witnessed the amazing spectacle with enthusiasm.  They appreciated the never say die attitude and competitive spirit and passion for winning   of the chess players.  It is a great learning experience for the audience.  At 2 pm the final rounds began and were completed by 4.15pm. Mouth watering dishes Lunch At  1 PM the players were  provided with royal vegetarian / non vegetarian  lunch  which included ice cream and Gulab Jammon .The participants  enjoyed the rich lunch with great amount of  happiness. Raghupathy receiving the trophy from the distinguished Guests. The Winner Raghupathy from Chidambaram won the  first prize of Rs.20,000 as cash prize with trophy and certificate. Raja receiving the trophy from the distinguished Guests. The Runner Raja from Madurai won the second prize  of Rs.15,000 as cash prize with trophy and certificate.  Karthick receiving the trophy from the distinguished Guests. Third Prize Karthick from Dindugal won the third prize  of Rs.10,000 as cash prize with trophy and certificate. TV Fame Dhanashekar impresses the crowd with his mimicry Mimicry The Valedictory function stared  at  4.30 PM  with a hilarious mimicry show by the Sun TV fame Thiru.Prabhakaran and Thiru.Dhanasekaran Team. From Left to Right Mr.C.Govindakrishnan, Founder Nethrodaya,Thiru T L Maharajan , renowned playback singer , Thiru Senthil, Head Human Resources, MRF ,Thiru Chellappa from Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu Valedictory Function Thiru  T L Maharajan , renowned playback singer  , Thiru Senthil, Head Human Resources, MRF ,Thiru  Chellappa from Sports Development  Authority of Tamilnadu  were the dignitaries who graced the Valedictory function . Prizes, trophies and certificates were distributed to the winners by the dignitaries. TL Maharajan entertained the players by singing few favorite songs for the visually impaired audience and said that he was really amazed at the skills of the visually impaired players. Mr Senthil said  that  the performance of the visually impaired players was really excellent and on par with sighted chess   players . Thiru  Chellapa appreciated Nethrodaya for conducting such competition and desired that many institutions should  come forward to conduct such program for the differently abled sports persons.  Thanks a lot Thanks We thank  all our  donors, volunteers and  supporters. We  thank  especially the MD  Mr.Srinivasan of Hotel Radha  Regent for the hospitality providing  free AC hall, with all amenities  and  for  providing quality food to the participants. We also thank Mr.Velmurugan CEO, Velammal Group of Institutions for providing transport support. This is a memorable event for many who participated in this historic event Next year we will organize the event in the month of August 2015. ©2014 Nethrodaya, All rights reserved.