New Delhi, Oct 19 (Agency) Representing India, the Chess team from Yeravada Prison, Pune, secured bronze medal at the recently concluded Intercontinental ‘Chess for Freedom’ Online Championship for Prisoners, organized by World Chess Federation (FIDE). The event witnessed the participation of more than 85 teams from 46 countries. IndianOil, in association with the All India Chess Federation, selected the participating Indian teams through the first ever “Parivartan – Prison to Pride Online Chess Tournament” wherein 20 prisons took part, an official statement said on Wednesday. Teams from Pune and Prayagraj Prisons had qualified for the finals to book their berth for the Intercontinental Championship while the Women and Juvenile teams from Tihar Jail qualified in the respective categories.
Congratulating the teams, S M Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil, said: “My compliments to the Yeravada team for the win. I must also laud the IndianOil Sports stars who came forward to coach these Champions. Successes like these strengthen our resolve to help enrich the quality of life of the community around us through unique social initiatives such as Parivartan.” Under the “Parivartan- Prison to Pride” initiative, Indian Oil is facilitating training programs in various sports such as chess, basketball, badminton, volleyball and carrom across prisons in India to help improve the physical and mental well-being of prison inmates.