Is India’s Triumph in the Women’s Chess World Cup a Reflection of Bharat’s Sporting Excellence?

New Delhi, Aug 1 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, honored the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 medalists, Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy, here on Friday. Both Indian chess talents made the nation proud with their outstanding performance at the recently concluded tournament in Batumi, Georgia.

Dr. Mandaviya personally recognized Divya Deshmukh, who became the 88th Grandmaster of India and the fourth Indian woman to achieve this title, for being the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup, as well as the youngest ever to do so. Koneru Humpy attended the ceremony virtually.

During the event, the Union Minister stated, “Grandmasters like you will inspire the new generation. More youth will engage in sports, especially mind sports like chess. Chess is one of India’s gifts to the world, played since ancient times. I firmly believe that many daughters of India will be inspired by both of you.”

“I’ve followed Humpy’s journey and know she has motivated many. I remember watching her games with my children,” Dr. Mandaviya remarked.

The FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, which took place from July 5–28 in Batumi, featured a historic all-Indian final between the 19-year-old Divya and seasoned Humpy. This was the first time two Indian women reached the final, marking India’s inaugural Women’s World Cup title.

Divya, from Nagpur, won against Humpy in a tense tiebreaker after two drawn classical games. She also earned her first GM norm by defeating top players such as Zhu Jiner, Harika Dronavalli, and Tan Zhongyi.

“I am thrilled that the title has come to India. Humpy played remarkably well, but I was fortunate to win. The joy came from knowing that regardless of the outcome, the title would belong to India,” expressed Divya.

“I feel honored to be recognized by the Hon’ble Minister as it motivates athletes and sends a message to the youth that they have the country's support. I thank the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Sports Ministry for their unwavering support for chess. Such encouragement is vital for the growth of the game in India,” she added.

The experienced Humpy, who became a GM at 15 in 2002, shared her thoughts on the tournament. “It was a long and challenging event, and I’m glad I could compete until the end. India showcased its strength in the finals with players from two generations clashing, leading to the title’s victory for India.”

With India set to host the FIDE Men’s World Cup 2025 in Goa this October, Dr. Mandaviya expressed optimism about the nation’s sporting future. India’s success in the Women’s Chess World Cup is a testament to Bharat’s sporting capabilities and underscores the sports ecosystem established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The government is not just supporting sports on paper, but is implementing substantial support on the ground. A roadmap for this has been laid out. Several reforms will be introduced soon. Just last month, we announced the Khelo Bharat Niti. Now, a National Sports Governance Bill will be considered in Parliament to enhance governance in sports. Once passed and implemented, we will witness significant growth in sports development,” he added.