MAKING THE RIGHT MOVES: P. Lakshmi Sahiti in action. — Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

VIJAYAWADA: Fourteen-year-old P. Lakshmi Sahiti, a Women's International Master (WIM), is in a dilemma, as she badly needs a sponsor who can take care of her coaching expenditure.

Keen on encouraging her talented daughter, mother Sailaja and father Sambasiva Rao had some time ago roped in Russian Grand Master Fominyh for a 20-day coaching stint in their hometown - Gudivada - for a fee of Rs. 2 lakhs.

"We're finding it difficult to meet the expenditure, as we also need to raise money to enable Sahiti to play tournaments abroad to enhance her ratings," says Mr. Sambasiva Rao, who works as development officer with the Oriental Insurance Corporation of India.

Though professional and domestic compulsions of the couple have hampered the growth of Sahiti to some extent, the undeterred couple are leaving no stone unturned to help their daughter achieve the coveted Grand Master title.

"Last year Sahiti had a dream run. She won four international medals. She won the Woman International title, Asian Junior Under-20 (third place), Asian Under-16 gold medal and Commonwealth Under-14 silver medal," points out Ms. Sailaja.

Young Sahiti (Elo rating 2135) is back from Pune after taking part in a rating tournament, and she is preparing to take part in the Asian Under-16 tournament to be held in Uzbekistan. "As she had already won a gold medal in the Asian Under-16 segment, we have requested the organisers to allow her to play in the Under-18 segment," Mr. Rao reveals.

SAI assistance

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) had earlier come to Sahiti's rescue by granting Rs. 4.5 lakh of assistance, and this year too Sahiti has approached SAI on the basis of her exploits in the international circuit. "We're yet to hear from SAI and we're keeping our fingers crossed. If we can get a sponsor to take care her coaching expenditure, Sahiti can achieve the Grand Master title in just a year," Mr. Rao says confidently.

Sahiti's parents are keen on approaching seasoned player Lanka Ravi for coaching. For Sahiti, the coming months will be crucial as she is to take part in three major international tourneys - Asian Junior, World Junior and Youth World.

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