The Indian cricket team legend and the inspirational captain of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, Kapil Dev, has been announced as the esteemed brand ambassador for the North and East Zone Finals of the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) Grandmasters Series.
This significant collaboration shines a spotlight on the burgeoning prominence of mind sports in India, with Kapil Dev lending his iconic presence to the intellectually stimulating competitions of Chess, Chess for the Blind, and Rummy.
The SOGF Grandmasters Series is a prestigious nationwide tournament meticulously designed to discover and cultivate India’s brightest strategic minds. The series features intense competitions in Chess, Chess for the Blind, and the widely popular card game Rummy, collectively attracting an impressive participation of over 150,000 entries during its initial online qualifying rounds, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for mind sports across the nation.
Expressing his excitement about this partnership, Kapil Dev said, “Mind sports are witnessing an incredible surge worldwide, propelled by high-speed internet, digital platforms, and growing accessibility. I’m delighted to join hands with SOGF to champion this movement in India. Strategic thinking, mental agility, discipline, and problem-solving—these are the qualities that mind sports nurture, much like cricket. These skills are essential for shaping individuals who can compete on a global stage, and I’m proud to support an initiative that enhances India’s presence in this arena.”
Shankar Aggarwal, President of SOGF, added, “Having Kapil Dev as our Brand Ambassador for the North and East Zone Finals is a game-changer. His towering legacy in sports and his ability to inspire generations align perfectly with our vision.”
Adding further prestige to the SOGF Grandmasters Series is the involvement of Indian Chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, who serves as the brand ambassador for the entire series said, “Being part of the SOGF series, including my presence at the Mumbai event, has been a rewarding experience. I truly believe in its potential to unearth and nurture India’s mind sports talent. I look forward to witnessing its growth and impact, confident that it will become a significant milestone on the Indian sports calendar, attracting top players from around the world.”
The SOGF Grandmasters Series boasts a substantial prize pool exceeding INR 6 million in scholarships and cash prizes, with top performers also receiving the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Scholarship, further incentivising participation and recognising excellence. The finalists competing in Gurugram will fiercely contest for regional titles and secure a coveted place in the SOGF Grandmasters National Finals, scheduled to be held in New Delhi. The national finals will ultimately crown the champions across the Indian Rummy Grandmaster (IRG), Indian Chess Master (ICM), and Indian Chess Master for the Blind (ICMB) categories.
Kapil Dev’s involvement is anticipated to inject considerable enthusiasm and heightened visibility into the North and East Zone Finals, serving as an inspiration to participants and underscoring the intellectual rigour and competitive spirit inherent in mind sports. The SOGF Grandmasters Series continues its unwavering mission to champion strategic thinking and identify India’s next generation of champions in the realm of mind sports.
The highly anticipated North and East Zone Finals are scheduled to take place on April 29 and 30, 2025, at the prestigious Hyatt Regency in Gurugram. These finals will witness intense battles among the top performers who emerged from the rigorous online qualifiers. The IRG category witnessed an impressive participation of over 78,000 individuals, with 150 exceptionally talented players advancing to the finals. In the ICM category, 32 skilled finalists (16 men and 16 women) qualified from an initial registration of 3,500 participants. Furthermore, 16 remarkable players qualified for the ICMB through dedicated zonal qualifiers organised in close collaboration with the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB), highlighting the inclusivity and reach of the tournament.