NIIT MindChampions Academy - Chess Master 2009, South Zone Winners Felicitated by World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand
- Goutham S from Geetanjali Vidyalaya, Bangalore and Jagu Rajesh from ZPH School, Chebrolu East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh Adjudged as Winners
- Over 4.5 Lakh Students Across India Compete for the Coveted Chess Master 2009 Title
- Online Survey Highlights the Positive Impact of Chess on Academics
Bangalore, December 19, 2009: The winners of South Zone Finals of NIIT MindChampions Academy (MCA), were felicitated by World Chess Champion and NIIT MindChampion Viswanathan Anand at Bangalore today. Mrs. Sudha Murthy, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Goutham S from Geetanjali Vidyalaya, Bangalore and Jagu Rajesh from ZPH School, Chebrolu East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh were adjudged as the winners of South Zone Finals of the NIIT MindChampions Academy - Chess Master 2009.
NIIT MindChampions Academy is a joint initiative by NIIT, a leading Global Talent Development Corporation and Asia’s largest IT Trainer, and World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand to initiate young minds into the World of Chess.
This year NIIT MindChampions Academy has witnessed participation of over 4.5 lakh students from across the country for Chess Master 2009. There have been 6282 clubs actively playing Chess since April 2009 to compete for the Chess Master 2009 title. The aim has been to go green this year and the complete implementation, monitoring, playing has been done electronically under the supervision of faculties from NIIT.
In response to an online survey conducted by MCA this year, over 8000 children have mentioned that Chess has helped them perform better in academics, especially in Science and Mathematics. The game developed their patience and understanding, motivating children to take up Chess before school hours or during the breaks.
The South Zone level contest witnessed widespread participation by nearly 1.75 lakh students from over 2500 Government and Private Schools spread across 4 states and Union Territories.
Commenting on the success of NIIT MindChampions Academy, Viswanathan Anand remarked, “It is heartening to note that young children are taking up chess enthusiastically and mastering the strategies of the game. I heartily congratulate both the winners and wish them a bright future ahead.”
“I am confident that the grit and determination that these young children have displayed will help them excel in academics as well. I am delighted to see that NIIT MindChampions Academy has touched a huge number of children across the country and initiated them into the game of Chess. Technology has also played a key role in reaching out to children in every corner of the country for introducing them to Chess”.
Mrs. Murthy, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, recognized the commendable performance of the young MindChampions in the game of Chess and encouraged them to continue to exhibit the same zeal and brilliance. She said that the budding talents need to be mentored and guided and that NIIT MindChampions Academy is offering the aspiring young Chess players an ideal platform to learn and grow.
According to Tarun Govind Mathur, Head- Operations, School Learning Solutions, NIIT Ltd., “Chess is a mind game that improves academic performance and aids in mental development of young children. Over the years the NIIT MindChampions Academy has been popularizing Chess in Schools across India.”
The winners of the South Zone Finals of NIIT MindChampions Academy- Chess Master 2009, Goutham S from Geetanjali Vidyalaya , Bangalore and Jagu Rajesh from ZPH School, Chebrolu East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh will represent the South Zone at the National Finals. The winners will also get an opportunity to play Chess with the Chess Champion, Viswanathan Anand. The National winner will be felicitated by the World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand at a mega event for National Finals in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on December 24, 2009.
Launched in 2002 with an objective of initiating students into the world of Chess, NIIT MindChampions Academy has commenced a movement that has now touched more than 8.5 lakh students from over 7000 schools across India. World Chess Champion Vishwanathan Anand has personally travelled to Agartala, Guwahati, Raipur, Patna, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and other cities across India, spreading the message and motivating the school students to start playing chess. NIIT MindChampions Academy conducts an Annual Chess event, known as Chess Master for these school children across 16 states in the NIIT network.