Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dinesh Chandra Rupasinghe Gunawardena handed over medal to the chess prodigy of the Bangladesh Fide Master Manon Reja Neer on Tuesday.
Manon Reja triumphed the silver medal in the Under-18 group of Western Asian Chess Championship 2024, in Colombo.
Dinesh Gunawardena distributed prises at the Prime Minister’s residence among the winners of the Western Asian Chess Championship, the tournament for different age group players took place in Colombo and ended on Tuesday. Sri Lanka is giving important to chess, as to encourage the chess players and to make the game popular in the country, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka distributed prises to the winners of the Western Asian Chess Championship.
Right after the conclusion of the Western Asian Chess Championship 2024, Sri Lanka is organizing another Asian Junior Chess Championship.
From both the tournaments, players have opportunities to earn straight title and to obtain norms.
Manon Reja excited having the opportunity to receive his medal from the Sri Lankan PM hands – “I feel very happy, as I was one of them to whom Prime Minister distributed medals, he handed over medals to a few winners but not to all.”
Meanwhile, another Bangladesh’s chess sensation Candidate Master Sakline Mostafa Sajid, who also participated in the tournament of Western Asian Youth Chess in Under-14 age group category, emerged as champions.
Sajid, who became unbeaten champion, earned the title of Fide Master Title.
However, Neer, who was glad after receiving the medal from the Prime Minister, was downhearted failing to be champions or obtaining as many points to the champions.
Neer said, “If I could be champions or could earn as many points to the champions, I would earn the title of International Master and for that I am disappointed.”
Neer will participate in another Asian Junior Chess Championship starts from today when he eyeing to earn the norm to obtain the title of International Master.
Nir, the young chess player from Narayanganj, has already earned two norms to be an International Master.
