Nepal Chess Association (NCA) President Rajesh Hari Joshi informed during a program organized in Kathmandu on Thursday that the scholarships were provided on the initiative of World Chess Federation (FIDE) President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, a Russian businessman.Candidate Masters duo Rupesh and Bibek will study the Russian language for a year and then begin their formal education in the university. Although, the subjects have not been confirmed, the two must compulsorily study chess as a major subject.
Joshi also informed that the university will provide scholarship to two players every year and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed with the university.
As per the agreement, the university will provide all the facilities except the living cost.
However, Rupesh and Bibek will get opportunities to work for 20 hours a week, which will be helpful for maintaining their living cost. They will also participate all major chess events to be organized in Russia.
"This is the proudest moment for NCA to send players for six years of scholarship. As Rupesh and Bibek are leaving for Russia, other players should come to fill the gap," said NCA President Joshi.
Seventeen-year-old Candidate Master Rupesh from Rautahat recently won silver medal in blitz and bronze in rapid sections of the 16thASEAN Age Group Chess Championships held in Singapore from June 8 to 17.
Having won the U-15 and U-19 national championships, Rupesh of Golden Gate College became a Candidate Master during the Chess Olympiad held in Turkey in 2012.
"My aim will be to achieve the Grand Master title. The training and experience in Russia will be helpful to achieve the target. If we get Grand Master status then that will also inspire other Nepali chess players," said Rupesh, who has spent nearly 10 years playing chess.
Rupesh, who is determined to spend his whole life in chess, also commented that getting scholarship from the Russian University was the beginning of a career and it will determine his destination.
Similarly, the current U-19 national champion Bibek, 19, from Makawanpur also said that his target is to be a Grand Master within six years.
"I am targeting to be an International Master (IM) in two years and then a Grand Master. I am also aiming to win Asian Continental medal," said Bibek, who has been playing chess for eight years.
Bibek also hoped that he will get international exposure and will be able to build good relations with other international chess players.
Bibek achieved the Candidate Master status during the Asian Zonal Championship held in Nepal recently.
Meanwhile, National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista, during the farewell program, said that players should also become good citizen and expected the players to learn the development aspect of Russia.
"Try to learn how Russia developed as your experiences could also help Nepal," said Bista.
Passive sports associations to be dissolved
National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista on Thursday warned that passive sports association affiliated to the sports governing body will be dissolved soon.
During a program organized to bid farewell to chess players in Kathmandu on Thursday, Bista vowed that associations running like individual's assets from their pocket and having no relevance will be dissolved.
"Associations that have not been conducting elections, running without following democratic norms are big problem to Nepali sports and will be dissolve" he said.
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