Young Chess Prodigy Divya Deshmukh Honored by Maharashtra

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis celebrated Divya Deshmukh, the newly-crowned FIDE Women's Chess World Cup champion, with a Rs 3 crore cash award. The 19-year-old, who hails from Nagpur, emerged victorious in Batumi, Georgia, after outplaying Koneru Humpy in the final tie-breaker on July 28.

During the ceremony, Deshmukh expressed her gratitude towards CM Fadnavis and the Nagpur community for their acknowledgment. She emphasized the rarity of such accolades and expressed joy in serving as an inspiration to young athletes.

Chief Minister Fadnavis expressed pride in her achievement, noting the significance of a local girl shining on the global stage. The government plans such events to inspire the youth, with Fadnavis reaffirming their commitment to prioritizing sports in Maharashtra. Sport Minister Manikrao Kokate also vowed to enhance the state's sports infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies.)