Chess Odiasha achieved its biggest ever success by securing the right to host the World Junior Championship in 2016. The elite event was allotted to All Odiaha Chess Association (AOCA) today after the proposal was unanimously passed in the Central Council Meeting of All India Chess Federation on the sidelines of the World Junior Chess 2014 at Pune.

A five-member AOCA team, consisting of its president Sekhar Chandra Sahu, vice-president Ranjan Mohanty, secretary Vivek Kumar Tibarewal, Executive Committee members Subhasis Patnaik and Suresh Chandra Sahoo played a competent role in securing the hosting right, which was in the possession of the AICF.

``There were strong offers from many more state which led to a stiff competition, but the AICF imposed full faith the organisational efficiency of AOCA team,`` said AOCA secretary Tibarewal.

``More than 60 countries including many Super GMs and World age-group champions would participate in the 2016 World Junior and the total number of players is expected to be around 300.

The event would bring Bhubaneswar to the forefront of chess activities across the globe, and would be streamed live via Internet in all the chess playing countries of the world,`` said AOCA president Sekhar Sahoo.

``As the host, Odisha stand to gain immense publicity for promotion of chess at the grassroots level  and it will be the biggest boost for the entire sports community in general and chess fraternity in particular,`` opined AOCA vice-president Ranjan Mohanty.

``The 2016 World Junior is planned to be held with the support of KIIT University and Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC). This event is sure to boost tourism and Culture of our state across the world,`` stated AOCA official Subhasis Patnaik.
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PHOTO: AOCA team at the bidding event of the World Junior Chess Championship in Pune on Oct 19, 2014.