Mohammad Fahad Rahman and Manon Reza Neer two young chess players, who earned success on foreign soil, have been deprived for a long time. Domestic competitions are not held regularly, and there is a shortage of sponsorship when they play tournaments in abroad. But they have keep their commitment with continuing playing in home and abroad.
Bangladesh Chess Federation (BCF) officials have reduced the prize money of the national chess competition, citing the reason of the fund crisis. Once, the champion in the boys' category of the national championship received taka one lakh. Now it is given taka 40 thousand.
Earlier, the champion received taka 25 thousand, but it has decreased by taka five to 20 thousand. While the prize money is supposed to increase but Bangladesh Chess federation decreased it.
The National Sports Council (NSC) recently announced an ad hoc committee of nine federations to revive sports including the BCF. The BCF had an executive committee meeting on Thursday when the the Association of Chess Players submitted several proposals to the new committee. International Master (IM) and current national champion Manon Reza Neer, IM Fahad Rahman, women's national champion Noshin Anjum and many others were present.
Members of the Chess Players Association want regular tournaments to be held in the country.
Neer said, “It would have been much better if the tournaments would be held in the country, we play in abroad including GM tournaments and lot of expenses would could be saved.”
The women FIDE Master Noshin Anjum also wants regular competitions, domestic and international should be organised in the country. She said, “Two Grand Master tournaments held in Bangladesh in 2021. It is true that holding these tournaments costs a lot. But it is very helpful for us. Noshin Anjum also expressed her disappointments with the prize money.
“I want the new committee to increase the prize money. Specially, the prize money for women is very poor.” Said the FIDE Master.
