Diya Sawal being handed a trophy.
MARGAO
Chess prodigy Diya Digambar Sawal has won five medals including 2 gold, 2 silver and one Bronze on offer in the Under 9 Asian Chess championship in Sri Lanka. The fourth standard student of Manovikas English Medium School, Margao reigned supreme in all three categories: Rapid, Blitz and Classical and achieved the feat.
She is the daughter of Deepali Digambar Sawal, vice chairperson of Margao Municipal Council.
"It is delightful that Goan players are winning medal after medal. Diya is a very talented player and with the proper guidance of her coach Prakash Singh and her parents, I am sure that she will rise much higher. However, consistency is very important and hard work and sacrifice over a sustained period of time can bring out players many laurels for the country," says Ashesh Keni, President Salcete Taluka Chess Association.
"Next year we plan with the government's help to launch the FIDE chess in schools programme to Goan students on a large scale. This will lead to many players of Bhaktis class in Goa. Players like Ethan, Diya are coming up due to the strong chess environment in Goa and am sure that the association will make it even stronger in the years to come," he added.
