Olympic sports participants need dedication, skill, practice and… facilities. Facilities such as trainers or coaches, equipment and infrastructure are expensive, which I feel is a big problem since it denies opportunity to many aspirants who do not have the financial resources needed to train. Another problem is the lack of awareness of the sport. Most people are not even aware of the existence of a sport, and thus cannot develop an interest. Further, it’s expensive to pursue it, and thus few do. For example, in Delhi, a set of bows and arrows costs from Rs 8,000 to Rs 3 lakh and for ice hockey, there is little infrastructure available.
Chess is a game involving a table, two chairs and a chessboard or simply a mobile phone. This makes chess a game in which people from all backgrounds and even remote areas can pick up interest. With online resources such as AI tutors, courses, puzzles and open tournaments, chess players have access to sufficient resources needed to train.
According to the official Olympics website, “The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.” For the introduction and promotion of chess in diverse geographic areas, especially in developing and under-developed countries, limited resources can suffice. Chess federations can be entrusted with the task of introducing the game to the masses which can be achieved with limited funds unlike sports that require a build-up of a facility and to identify the right talent and train them. A sport like chess can thus champion the cause of inclusiveness without discrimination as just about everyone can aspire to participate in an Olympic event.
