The Hindu : Sport / Chess : BoB not to renew Humpy's sponsorship

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Friday, Jul 22, 2005

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BoB not to renew Humpy's sponsorship

V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD: : It's official. Bank of Baroda (BoB) will not renew its sponsorship of WGM Koneru Humpy. This message was delivered to the women's World No. 4 on Thursday afternoon by the top brass of the bank. Speaking to The Hindu, a disappointed Humpy said she did not expect this ahead of the World championship in October.

"The Bank of Baroda top brass has informed that after signing up Indian captain Rahul Dravid they cannot afford to have two brand ambassadors. Consequently, I was told that it was not possible for them to sponsor me anymore," said a dejected Humpy.

Fresh from her triumph in the North Urals Cup, the champion chess player had met the AP Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, a couple of days to come to her rescue. Top officials of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh, on being presented a detailed budgetary proposals of Rs. 20 lakhs required by her for preparing for the World championship, had hinted that at most they could sanction about Rs. 5 lakhs after going through a long-winding procedure.

It is a stunning blow for the former World junior champion just at a time when she has already planned a detailed preparatory schedule including some training under a couple of Super Grandmasters.

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