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In a stirring thanksgiving speech which captured the thrilling finale of FIDE World Cup 2025 here on Wednesday night, All India Chess Federation (AICF) president Nitin Narang said India's grand hosting of the event marked a momentous evolution in the nation's global sporting stature.

 

"No longer just a venue for international competitions, India has emerged as a pacesetter, redefining excellence in chess and beyond. From the Chess Olympiad to the booming Grandmaster ecosystem to this electrifying World Cup, India is where global sporting dreams are now nurtured. And this, truly, is just the beginning. Champions lift trophies, but moments like these lift nations," Narang said, while addressing a packed gathering of players, officials and dignitaries at Resort Rio, the venue of the marquee event.

 

Reflecting on the intensity of the tournament, Narang said the past four weeks at FIDE World Cup had been an unparalleled spectacle. "If this World Cup were a movie, the genre would be suspense, drama, emotion, shockers, fairy tales and thrill, all rolled into one. And to every player who fought till the final second, you enriched the soul of chess," he said.

 

Narang reserved special praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, crediting him as the visionary force behind India's sporting revolution. "You turned sport into a national movement, you turned players into icons and you turned India into a global sporting superpower. Your belief that 'Sports builds spirit and spirit builds nations' has transformed how every young Indian looks at the future. Under your leadership, India is winning more, hosting more, dreaming bigger and reaching higher. Sir, this World Cup is a reflection of your vision, a confident India, a global India, an India that welcomes the world with excellence," he said.

 

The AICF president also highlighted Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant's instrumental role in bringing the World Cup to the coastal state. Recounting his initial conversation with Dr Sawant regarding the plan to hold the FIDE World Cup in Goa, Narang said, “Dr Sawant's bold commitment made all the difference. In the first phone call I made to him to discuss the idea, Dr Sawant told me, 'Let’s make history. Goa is ready.' From that moment, it felt less like organising a tournament and more like creating a blockbuster."

 

He said that under Sawant's stewardship, Goa has evolved into a year-round hub for premier international events. "Goa has always been known for its beauty, but under the leadership of Dr Sawant, Goa is now known for its capability. You are the architect of Goa’s modern sporting ecosystem," he added.

 

Narang commended Sawant for investing in infrastructure, proactively backing organisers and showing the foresight of leveraging sports for economic growth. "If it’s world-class, it can happen in Goa. Your commitment has created a new model for India. Sir, Goa’s rise as India’s most vibrant sporting event venue carries your signature. And this FIDE World Cup is proud to be part of that story."

 

Extending his gratitude to Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Narang lauded Mandaviya for his unwavering guidance, robust support and prudent decisions which elevated the tournament to impeccable standards. "Your involvement ensured the execution of this World Cup at a world-class level," he said.

 

Narang also thanked International Chess Federation (FIDE) president Arkady Dvorkovich, secretary general Łukasz Turlej and the broader FIDE community for reposing faith in India as a collaborative partner. "Together, we didn’t just host an event, we created a global moment for the sport," he said.

 

Among the luminaries present on the occasion were chess icon Viswanathan Anand. Hailing his presence as a “profound honour”, Narang said, "Anand sir, your presence elevates every square of every board. The Viswanathan Anand Cup, named after you, has become a symbol of aspiration for generations to come. Every player who lifts that trophy will carry a piece of your greatness in their hands and your humility in their hearts."

 

Delving into the essence of chess mastery, Narang shared an inspiring anecdote: "They say victory is a moment, but the journey to victory is a lifetime. There was once a young player who lost so often that he began noting down every mistake in a tiny notebook. One day someone asked him, 'How do you stay motivated despite losing so much?' He smiled and said that he was not losing but collecting data on how winning works. That is the spirit of chess, the spirit of this World Cup. Every move, every mistake, every comeback… all of it becomes the epic story of how champions are built."

 

Nehwal draws parallel between chess, badminton

 

Former World No. 1 shuttler Saina Nehwal, who was in Goa to witness the FIDE World Cup 2025 finale and make the ceremonial first move in the Sindarov-Wei Yi final, drew a striking parallel between badminton strategy and chess planning. “I understand it takes a lot of courage, lot of calmness… even in difficult moments you have to really control it, not show your emotions,” she said, adding that chess remained “one of the most difficult games” mentally.

 

The two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, earlier associated with the sport as co-owner of a Chess Super League team, said she was keen to try her hand at playing chess, noting that the precision of planning moves “till the end” mirrors the tactical flow of badminton rallies.

 

Vishy all praise for Sindarov

 

Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, while congratulating Javokhir Sindarov on his World Cup triumph, said the young Uzbek had displayed “tremendous patience, resilience and maturity” in navigating one of the most demanding events on the calendar. “Sindarov’s steady rise has been inspiring to watch. The Ganges Grandmasters team is looking forward to “more of his brilliance in the seasons ahead,” said Anand.

 

AICF efforts paying off

 

The All India Chess Federation (AIFF) has stepped up its support to players through several major initiatives in recent years. Its Top National Players Stipend Scheme, launched in June 2025, provides quarterly financial assistance ranging from ₹60,000 to ₹1.50 lakh for promising talents from Under-7 to Under-19 categories with ₹42.30 lakh released in the first round to 42 young players.

 

Besides, the AICF has unveiled a ₹65-crore blueprint aimed at strengthening India’s chess ecosystem from grassroots academies and state associations to grooming of elite players. The plan includes two-year contracts for national-level age-group players, monthly direct benefit transfers, enhanced support for women through a dedicated “Women in Chess” programme and a broader chess development fund to expand training and coaching infrastructure. For elite players like R. Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi and Vaishali Rameshbabu, the federation has pledged around ₹2 crore to assist with international training, travel and preparation for major championships. Together, these measures reflect AICF’s push to create a structured support system for both emerging and established Indian chess players.

 

Also read: FIDE World Cup gives push to sports tourism in Goa