Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta Appeals to Sports Ministry Over Unpaid Odisha Open Prize Money
Frustrated Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta moves Sports Ministry over unpaid Odisha Open dues
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Indian Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta has sought intervention from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports regarding unpaid prize money of ₹5.5 lakh for winning the Odisha Open in January 2026. The All India Chess Federation has not responded to his complaints, citing internal disputes within the Odisha chess association as the reason for the delay.
- 01Abhijeet Gupta won the Odisha Open in January 2026 but has not received his prize money.
- 02The owed amount is ₹5.5 lakh (approximately $6,600 USD).
- 03Gupta has written multiple letters to the All India Chess Federation without receiving a response.
- 04The Odisha chess association's bank account is frozen due to internal disputes.
- 05Gupta emphasizes the importance of accountability for all chess players in India.
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Renowned Indian Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta has expressed frustration over the non-payment of his prize money from the Odisha Open, which he won in January 2026. Gupta, who is owed ₹5.5 lakh (approximately $6,600 USD), has reached out to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports after receiving no response from the All India Chess Federation (AICF) despite multiple attempts. The delay stems from internal conflicts within the Odisha chess association, which has resulted in their bank account being frozen. Gupta highlighted that this situation undermines the dignity and trust of chess players in India, noting that if such issues can affect an Arjuna Award recipient like him, it raises concerns for grassroots players. A senior AICF official assured that they are working to resolve the issue, but Gupta remains skeptical, emphasizing the need for accountability in the sport.
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This issue highlights the challenges faced by chess players in India, particularly regarding the timely disbursement of prize money, which can affect their financial stability and trust in the sport.
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