Five-time World chess champion Viswanathan Anand was honoured with the Sports Journalists’ Federation of India’s ‘SJFI Medal’ at a glittering ceremony at the Madras Cricket Club here on Wednesday. The event was hosted in partnership with the Tamil Nadu Sports Journalists’ Association (TNSJA).

Anand, who is serving as the deputy president of FIDE, joins an esteemed list of awardees that includes Sunil Gavaskar, Vijay Amritraj, Prakash Padukone, P.T. Usha and Milkha Singh (posthumous). The medal was presented to the 56-year-old by former India cricket captain and 1983 World Cup winner K. Srikkanth.

Catalyst

“I am proud in a way to have been a catalyst for the growth of chess in India. This is very much a recognition by my peers for real achievements and contributions. This is very special because it is hardcore; these are people who will appreciate you for what you did and not necessarily the impact it had or anything else,” said an elated Anand.

Srikkanth was at his witty best. “Way back in 1985 or 1986, I played chess with Anand and that is my claim to fame. As usual, I got knocked out in five or six moves, but that is fine. Being the world champion in an individual sport... just imagine. He deserves a standing ovation,” said Srikkanth as the attendees rose in unison to celebrate the achievements of the legendary Grandmaster.

Olympic gold-winning hockey skipper V. Baskaran hailed the SJFI for “doing a wonderful job in promoting sports”. Veteran journalist R. Mohan read the citation that was later presented to Anand.

The SJFI president Saraju Chakraborty delivered the welcome address, while the federation’s secretary V. Ramesh, proposed the vote of thanks.

Other eminent sports personalities, including GMs K. Sasikiran, Shyam Sundar, IMs Manuel Aaron, V. Saravanan, P. Konguvel and former hockey player Mohammed Riaz also graced the function.