CHESS PLAYERS – MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

UNSTARRED QUESTION / நட்சத்திரமிடப்படாத கேள்வி 

1759. Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

(a) Whether the Government is not including Chess players on the list 
of awards Khel Ratna, Arjuna or Dronacharya this year despite Chess 
being booming in India;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; 
(c) whether it is true that the Government gives preference to 
Olympics sports in the selection process and if so, the details there of;
(d) if not, the reasons for not giving any award to the chess players for 
the last seven years; and 
(e) Whether the Government has considered giving chess a separate 
category like cricket to encourage the chess fraternity, if so, details 
thereof and if not, the details thereof