On instructions of the Chief Minister, the sum of Rs. 328, 227 was cleared towards the expenses incurred by Ivana Furtado's parents incurred during her participation in the World Schools (Greece), Asian Youth (Teheran), Asian Schools (Singapore) and Asian Youth (Al Ain, U.A.E.) tournments. Ivana's participation in the Asian Schools in Kandy, Sri Lanka is now certain and Goan sports fraternity looks forward to her for another rich medal haul in the year 2008.
GSCA President Salgaocar praised the Chief Minister for his unstinted support towards Ivana. "Mr. Kamat is a sports lover and has proved it with this magnanimous deed", he stated and also mentioned this act as a fantastic "New Year's gift for the entire chess community in Goa". Ivana's coach Dronacharya awardee Raghunandan Gokhale has expressed full confidence that Ivana will bag a Gold medal in the Under 9 Girls section. He just concluded a week long coaching camp with her in Panjim in the last week of 2007 and expressed satisfaction with the outcome. "Ivana is well on the way to becoming India's next Koneru Humpy", he said hastening to add that after the success, Ivana will have to work doubly hard and maintain her "focus" to accomplish her goals. Cyrus Perreira, also of Panjim, will be playing in the Boys Under 9 section. His form has been quite good of late and his rating has also shot up in the January FIDE rating list. Perhaps in 2008, one of the Goan boys will be able to finally make it to the medal podium in the international chess arena?