Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta Seeks Sports Ministry Help Over Pending Odisha Open Prize Money

Indian Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta has approached the Sports Ministry after facing a long delay in receiving his prize money for winning the Odisha Open earlier this year, raising concerns over accountability in tournament administration.

Gupta, who clinched the title in January 2026 , is still awaiting Rs 5.5 lakh in prize money that was reportedly promised within a month of the event. Nearly four months later, he says there has been no payment and repeated follow ups have gone unanswered.

Expressing his frustration, the Arjuna Awardee said that while sport naturally involves wins and losses, not receiving what is rightfully earned after a victory is deeply disappointing. He added that the issue is not just about money, but about fairness and respect for players .

In a post on social media platform X, Gupta urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to intervene, stating that the matter reflects on the dignity and trust of chess players in India , especially those competing at the top level.

He also said he had reached out to the All India Chess Federation (AICF) , under whose affiliation the tournament was conducted, but did not receive any response. According to him, both organisers and governing bodies have remained silent despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue.

Sources indicate that the delay is linked to internal disputes within the Odisha chess association , where rival factions have reportedly led to a frozen bank account , preventing the release of funds to players.

An AICF official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the federation is aware of the situation and expects it to be resolved soon, adding that efforts are underway to address the issue and support the players.

For Gupta, however, the concern goes beyond a single case. He warned that if such delays can affect an established player, the challenges faced by young and emerging chess talents in India could be far more severe.