All Odisha Chess Association, in collaboration with the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha, today felicitated Woman International Master (WIM) Saina Salonika and Sattwik Swain for winning medals in different international competitions recently.

Saina secured the silver medal for Delhi University in the FISU World University Mind Sports Chess Championship, held at Entebbe, Uganda from 25 to 30 June 2024, while Sattwik bagged the bronze medal in the U-18 Open category of the FIDE Chess World Cup that took place in Batumi, Georgia from 22 June to 2 July 2024.

In a function, held at the Bhubaneswar-based Government chess training centre, Prochessta, both the players were given a cash award of Rs 20,000 each. Hockey Promotion Council of Odisha (HPCO) Director Deepankar Mohapatra and Additional Secretary of Odisha Government, Subhranshu Mishra joined the function as guests.

AOCA secretary Debabrata Bhatt, Prochessta administrator IM Swayanshu Satyapragya and AOCA treasurer Shankar Prasad Mishra were present on the occasion. AOCA secretary announced that Odisha players becoming champion and runner-up in any National chess championship will be given Rs 50,000 as cash prizes.
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PHOTO: International medal winners Saina Salonika and Sattwik Swain pose with guests and AOCA office-bearers at a felicitation program in Bhubaneswar on 5 July 2024.