It is official now! To promote 'Khadi' at international level and attract younger generation about this signature and heritage fabric of India, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) has decided that all the Indian Chess players and their supporting staff would use Khadi as their uniforms and kits in all international tournaments.
It was announced by AICF Secretary Bharat Singh Chouhan during the Khadi India 47th National Junior Chess Championship for boys and 32nd National Junior Chess Championship for girls being held at Patliputra Sports Complex in Kankerbagh, Patna on Sunday. It was formally inaugurated by the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. Incidentally, it was the very first sports event in India, which was sponsored by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
KVIC chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena, who formally opened the tournament, playing some moves on board with Bihar Deputy CM, in his address, said that chess and 'Charkha' have many similarities like both had been discovered in India centuries ago and now have become our heritages. "like chess has eight houses from both sides, Charkha also has eight spokes from the front and rear. Most importantly, like Charkha can't be spun without immense concentration, chess also needs the same," he said, adding, "Hence; Charkha and chess will go along to set many milestones in future."
Hailing AICF's decision to use Khadi uniforms and kits during international tournaments, he said that it would help in making an international image of Khadi. "Keeping in mind that sport is the best medium to connect the people — especially from younger generations — KVIC will sponsor such sports event in future, to give a global image to Khadi," he added.