MARGAO
Goa's chess prodigy Diya Digamber Sawal from Margao who made Goa proud by winning the two gold medals for India in the standard and blitz chess championship in the U-10 in the Asian Youth Chess championship, in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Speaking to The Goan Everyday, Diya said, "I am very happy to win these two gold medals. It is a challenging game. However, I am geared up to play and try to challenge myself and my performance."
The 10 year old student of Manovikas School, Margao was inspired to play chess by her father who is a bussinessman. Diya's interest in the game grew at an early age and she quickly started showing her talent in it by drawing admiration from her sister’s game.
"We are happy that she was able to make it big in the sport. More importantly, we are delighted that they are enjoying themselves by playing the sport,” said her mother Dipali who is the vice-chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council. "The credit goes to my husband, who is very supportive," she added.
At a time when women were finding it hard to raise their voices, receive education, and work like men, Diya was determined at her work that nothing could hold her backs.
As a pupil of the Chess Guru Goa Academy, her coach Prakash Vikram Singh termed her victory as great feat and also said she won the medals earlier and wish her great success in future. "The relation of a student and a coach is quite delicate one in chess. To develop a strong bond between a trainer and a trainee is not easy but it is one that becomes smooth and fun over the course of time," said Prakash.
