How SPB helped a teenage Viswanathan Anand for a national championship
For many in South India, their first ever introduction to the world of music was through the voice SP Balasubrahmanyam. But for a 14-year-old teenager from Chennai who was passionately pursuing a career in chess, the legendary singer was much more. In 1983, SPB chose to sponsor a chess team named 'Madras Colts' for a national championship. He had heard through a friend that the team had a very talented teenager and needed a sponsor for the tournament. SPB readily agreed and handed over the amount to the organisers. And it was this tournament that propelled the 14-year-old chess prodigy and now world renowned chess player, Vishwanthan Anand, to national fame. In a tweet after SPB's death was announced, Anand expressed his gratitude for the very first sponsorship he got. "It was a 4 member team and it meant a lot for them to go to Mumbai and play the tournament," says Aruna, Vishwanathan Anand's wife. "It was one of the tournaments that really helped Anand grow in the national circuit," she adds.
SPB had even attended the felicitation ceremony for the player following the tournament.
spb is legend n blessed soul ❤️
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