The Prof. Dr. Shirish L. Deshpande Memorial AICFB Maharashtra State Selection Chess Championship 2026 for the Blind and Visually Impaired was inaugurated today at the Dnyan Jyoti Niwasi Andh Vidyalay for the Blind, Nagalwadi, Nagpur. The event is jointly organized by the All Marathi Chess Association for the Visually Challenged (AMCVC), Rashtriya Drushtihin Shikshan & Punarwasan Sanstha (RDSPS), and the Disability Advocacy Research and Education Foundation (DARE), under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation of the Blind (AICFB).
Inauguration by Icons of Resilience
The championship was officially declared open by three remarkable women who have overcome total visual impairment to make their mark in the world of sports: Ms. Kanchanmala Pande, Ms. Aishwarya Pandey, and Ms. Manisha Kadukar. In a moving and symbolic ceremony, the trio inaugurated the tournament by making the ceremonial opening moves on a specialized Braille chessboard.
Distinguished Guests and Leadership
The ceremony was graced by a distinguished gathering of sports administrators and social leaders. The prominent guests included Dr. Manish Thul (General Secretary, AICFB), Shri Sanjay Ghoderao (President, AMCVC), Mr. Pankaj Bendre (General Secretary, AMCVC), Shri Laxman Khapekar (Secretary, RDSPS), Shri Kamlesh Manvatkar (General Secretary, DARE), and Dr. Shaila Deshpande (Joint Secretary, RDSPS), all of whom addressed the participants to offer their encouragement. Additionally, Shri Dhawalsing Mohite and Shri Bhaurao Daidar also graced the occasion with their presence.
Tournament Technicalities
Shri Praveen Pantavne is serving as the Chief Arbiter for the championship, ensuring the highest standards of competitive integrity for the state-level selection. The tournament will continue through April 26, as players from across Maharashtra compete for a spot in the national rankings.For Media Inquiries, please contact:Shri Laxman Khapekar (RDSPS) / Shri Kamlesh Manvatkar (DARE)
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com