New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitated newly-crowned FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh in Nagpur on Saturday. After the young champion was felicitated by the Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday, Divya was again acknowledged for her accolade.
CM Fadnavis handed over the chess champion a cash award of Rs 3 crore for her marvellous achievement in Georgia. At 19, Divya became the youngest to win the Women’s World Cup title held at Batumi after she outplayed Koneru Humpy in the tie-breaker of the final. The glorious win not only earned her a title but also made her a Grandmaster. Divya and CM Fadnavis both hail from Nagpur.
Divya thanks CM Fadnavis, Nagpur people
During the felicitation ceremony held in the city, Divya thanked CM Fadnavis and the people of Nagpur for honouring her. She also said one gets to enjoy such moments rarely in life.
‘This is a very special moment for me. I am so happy that I could be a little bit part of their (children’s) motivation and their inspiration. I am feeling very happy,’ she said.
The Grandmaster also thanked the Maharashtra government and the Maharashtra Chess Association for their support. On the occasion, Fadnavis also said that he felt proud as an India and Maharashtra CM that a local girl has made the country proud. The government organised Deshmukh’s public felicitation function to motivate the country’s children, he said.
🔸Felicitation of Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh, the first Indian woman to win the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup, at the hands of CM Devendra Fadnavis, at the Bhavya ‘Nagari Sanman Sohala’.
Minister Adv Manikrao Kokate, MoS Adv Ashish Jaiswal, MLA Krishna Khopde, MLC Dr Parinay Fuke… pic.twitter.com/gemkkmosVj— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 2, 2025
The CM further added that the state has given a priority to sports always and will continue to support Divya and other sportspersons in their future endeavours. Sport Minister Manikrao Kokate also promised overall development of sports in the state.