Former Indian cricket star Robin Uthappa will be the face of the inaugural SOG Grandmasters Series’ South 1 Zonal Finals, an initiative of the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF), scheduled for December 18-19 at the Sheraton Grand in Whitefield, Bengaluru.

Along with Uthappa’s strong star power and overwhelming response through their registrations for the online qualifiers of the southern zone championship, the tournament will celebrate exceptional talents and unearth mind sports athletes and promote excellence nationwide.

The inaugural SOG Grandmasters Series registrations indicated significant interest across all categories.

Over 55,000 players signed up for free online pre-qualifiers of Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG) and Indian Chess Masters (ICM), highlighting their increasing popularity as cognitive skill-based mind sports.

The top 125 from the total registered players, who played the Online Qualifiers for IRG and ICM will travel to Bangalore for the Zonal finals. In addition, the Chess for the Blind event, organised by the All-India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB) served as pre-qualifiers to the Indian Chess Masters for the Blind (ICMB), from which 16 top players have been shortlisted for the South Zonal Finals.

Speaking about the event, Shankar Aggarwal, President of SOGF said: “Having Robin Uthappa, a World Cup-winning cricketer known for his resilience and mental strength, represent the SOG Grandmasters South Regional Finals is a powerful way to inspire the next generation of mind sports athletes. Robin’s story of overcoming challenges and excelling on the global stage will motivate participants to aim higher, with the dream of representing India. His presence bridges traditional sports and skill-based online games, helping to popularize these disciplines and encourage more players to step forward. The overwhelming response to the Grandmasters Series reflects India’s growing passion for skill-based sports, and we are committed to creating an inclusive platform that nurtures this talent and propels it onto the global stage.”

Uthappa, a World Cup-winning cricketer known for his swashbuckling playing style, a popular TV Commentator and a strong advocate for mental health, serves as a powerful source of inspiration for the youth, as he becomes the face of the SOG Grandmasters South Regional Finals. As a champion of ethical playing and mental health and a proponent of resilience, hard work and making dreams come true, Uthappa exemplifies the values of focus, strategy, and perseverance that are essential in skill-based gaming. Speaking about the event, Uthappa said, “Mind sports are truly unique in how they celebrate cognitive skills.

The SOG Grandmasters Series is a remarkable platform that highlights the power of strategy, focus, and mental resilience—qualities I deeply value both as a cricketer and as an advocate for mental well-being. This series not only showcases exceptional talent across India, but also nurtures the competitive spirit and creates new opportunities to unearth and spotlight talent in the mind sports arena. I’m excited to be part of this initiative and am eager to witness the next generation of champions rise from such an initiative.”

The South 1 Zonal Finals will be a lan event with “phygital” experience, blending physical and digital formats under one roof. The Bengaluru event will be followed by Zonal finals in other zones, with the finalists–two from chess for Men, two from Chess for Women, two from Chess for the Blind, and six from Online Rummy in each zone – competing in the Nationals in April 2025 in New Delhi.

As millions of people eagerly anticipate the World Chess Championship match between reigning champion Ding Liren and 18-year-old Indian prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju, Chess.com, ChessBase India, Nodwin Gaming and Samay Raina are thrilled to announce that every game of the Championship will be covered live from Mumbai. The groundbreaking broadcast will feature the popular global commentator and host, International Master Tania Sachdev, the voice of Indian chess content and founder of Chessbase India, International Master Sagar Shah, and one of the biggest comedians and a prominent chess personality himself, Samay Raina.

“It’s a huge moment for India. Will Gukesh, at 18, become the youngest-ever World Champion? Will he be the one to take forward Vishy Anand’s legacy by once again bringing the title back to India, or will Ding, the reigning World Champion, prevail?” said International Master and Chess.com Commentator Tania Sachdev. “As a player, a commentator, and foremost a fan of the game, I am thrilled to be a part of this very special broadcast team. We hope to bring everyone as close as possible to the minds and emotions of two brilliant players playing for ultimate glory.”

Set at the venue Habitat, this will be a one-of-a-kind collaboration between three of the most influential voices in chess. Together, they will provide insightful commentary and analysis for audiences of all levels. Viewers can look forward to special appearances by celebrities, comedians, and chess players, adding a new twist to each day’s broadcast.

“Gukesh has achieved something that is unprecedented. The fight for the World Championship title at the age of 18 is nothing short of a celebration! A huge moment for Indian chess,” said Sagar Shah, founder of ChessBase India. “Through these 14 days, we are going to follow each and every moment of action closely and enjoy this amazing event.”

The three-week event will include a live audience, bringing the excitement of the championship directly to fans in Mumbai. The show will also be streamed simultaneously on ChessBase India and Chess24 India, ensuring fans nationwide can join in the excitement.

“Bohot Maza aayega bhai!” said Samay Raina, popular comedian and chess influencer.

With India on the cusp of its biggest chess moment in a generation, this broadcast will cover the passion and energy surrounding Gukesh’s historic journey. Fans are invited to join live in Mumbai or tune in online to witness every move, every moment, and every memory.

Event Details:

●      Dates: November 25 to December 13, 2024

●      Times: Broadcast to start at 2:30pm IST

●      Venue: Habitat

●      Commentators: Samay Raina, Sagar Shah, Tania Sachdev

●      Live Streaming: Chess24 India YouTube ChessBase India Youtube channels

Providing a major boost to Arunachal’s soccer program, The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) has named the high-altitude Tawang stadium in Arunachal Pradesh as a national training center, marking a huge step forward for sports in the Northeast.

This win is a point of pride for the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association (APFA), which sees it as a major boost for high-altitude training across the country. The stadium has also snagged the “FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf – FIFA Quality” certification from Labosports, a FIFA-approved lab for testing fields worldwide. With Tawang’s elevation soaring over 10,000 feet, the stadium offers a unique training ground to push athletes’ endurance and performance to new heights. APFA’s Kipa Ajay initially proposed

Tawang was a high-altitude hub for national teams, and now, with AIFF’s endorsement, it’s becoming a reality! Adding to the excitement, the nearby outdoor stadium in Jang has also earned FIFA’s “Quality” certification, cementing Tawang’s position as a top destination for high-level football.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu shared his enthusiasm on X, calling the certification “a testament to our commitment to football’s growth in the state” and stressing how great infrastructure can help unlock young talent.

Gallant Sports and infra, the driving force behind the stadium upgrade, has installed the state-of-the- art Superb 52 13PU turf in both venues. The turf’s advanced cushioning and weather-resistant backing promise a better, safer experience for players, keeping up with international standards.

Nasir Ali, CEO of Gallant Sports, shared his excitement: “This is a proud moment! At Gallant Sports, we believe in providing world-class facilities that empower athletes. The selection of Tawang’s stadium as a national training centre, along with its FIFA certification, is a transformative step. We’re thrilled to see this vision come to life, inspiring and nurturing young talent in challenging and inspiring settings.”

With its world-class certification and an upcoming marathon, Tawang is quickly shaping up as a hotbed for high-altitude sports and endurance training in India.