Jammu : Reinforcing its commitment to strengthening the professional capabilities of its field functionaries and promoting technical excellence in sports administration, the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports, (DYSS) J&K, under the leadership of Anuradha Gupta, Director General, YSS has begun a 5 day Chess Arbiter Course in collaboration with the All India Chess Federation (AICF) at Jammu, from 14th to 18th July, 2026.
The specialized training programme is designed to enhance the technical knowledge and officiating skills of Physical Education Masters (PEMs), Physical Education Teachers (PETs), and Rehbar-e-Khel (ReKs) by providing comprehensive training on the Laws of Chess, FIDE regulations, tournament management, Swiss and round-robin pairing systems, score sheet management, dispute resolution, and the roles and responsibilities of arbiters. The course aims to prepare departmental officials to conduct chess competitions professionally and in accordance with national and international standards.
Interacting with the participants, Inder Jeet Singh Parihar, Joint Director, Youth Services & Sports, Jammu lauded the visionary leadership of DG YSS for initiating a series of professional development programmes aimed at upgrading the technical competencies of the department’s workforce. He emphasized that continuous capacity building is essential for ensuring quality sports administration and nurturing a strong sporting culture at the grassroots level. He further urged the participants to effectively utilize the knowledge gained during the course for organizing scientifically managed chess competitions across educational institutions in Jammu & Kashmir.
The inaugural ceremony was also graced by the Planning and Development Programme Coordinator, All India Chess Federation, who appreciated the Directorate’s proactive efforts in promoting chess through structured training initiatives. He highlighted AICF’s continued commitment to developing a strong pool of qualified arbiters and technical officials across the country and encouraged participants to uphold the highest standards of fairness, professionalism, and integrity while officiating chess events.
Baldev Raj, former President, J&K Chess Association, also addressed the gathering and shared his rich experience in the development of chess in the region. He appreciated the collaborative initiative of the Directorate and AICF, describing it as a significant milestone in strengthening the technical ecosystem of chess in Jammu & Kashmir.
The course is being conducted by experienced resource persons Ritesh Pathania deputed by the All India Chess Federation and has attracted enthusiastic participation from PEMs, PETs, and ReKs representing all 20 districts of the UT of J&K, reflecting the department’s collective commitment towards professional excellence and sports development.
