Chennai, June 8: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin interacted with Indian chess Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa, felicitating him for his outstanding performance at the Norway Chess tournament. As part of the recognition, the Chief Minister presented a cash award of ₹50 lakh to honour his achievement on the international stage.
During the event, the Chief Minister also played a friendly game of chess with Praggnanandhaa, highlighting the growing popularity of the sport and the state’s commitment to supporting young talent in chess and other disciplines.
The Chief Minister praised Praggnanandhaa’s discipline, dedication, and consistency, noting that his success continues to bring pride to Tamil Nadu and India. He emphasized that such achievements inspire thousands of young players to pursue excellence in sports.
Praggnanandhaa’s performance at the Norway Chess tournament has been widely appreciated in the global chess community, further strengthening India’s reputation as a rising powerhouse in the sport.
Officials stated that the state government remains committed to promoting sports excellence through financial support, training infrastructure, and recognition of outstanding athletes.
The interaction concluded with encouragement for continued success, with hopes that Praggnanandhaa will achieve further milestones in upcoming international competitions.