Dronachaya awardee Raghunandan Gokhale angrily stated that his remarks about
Grandmasters and their remuneration have clearly been taken out of context
by Shrikant Barve in his outburst on the internet. The figure of Rs.
30,000/- in a recent interview of his which appeared in the Navhind Times
was for the appearance fee of a Grandmaster to PLAY in a tournament and had
no connection whatsoever with the coaching fees which Barve alludes to.
Gokhale, who is currently in Hungary with his students for an international
tournament, has made his displeasure over Barve known in an email to the
President of the Goa State Chess Association.
Gokhale, who is also the current Chairman of the Maharashtra Chess
Association, has himself coached many upcoming players including National
Junior Girls Champion Bhakti Kulkarni without charging his usual
remuneration and by considering the financial condition of the parents.
Meanwhile, fresh allegations have cropped up against Barve. The organisers
of the State Under 9 Selection tournament have alluded to constant
interference by him in the recent event conducted at BPS Club, Margao and
have asked that the GSCA stop allocating future selection tournaments to
Barve in the future. Selection tournaments are the method through which Goan
kids are chosen for important National events and hence these tournaments
need to go through with the minimum of hiccups.
The Executive Body of the GSCA meets on Sunday to thrash out all these
issues and if necessary will take punitive steps against the Taleigao coach
and player who is presently a Life Member of the Association.
SOURCE: Sameer Salgaocar - President - GSCA
