New Delhi: Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, who famously led India to its historic 1983 Cricket World Cup victory, has been named Brand Ambassador for the North and East Zone Finals of the SOGF Grandmasters Series, organized by the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF). The championship, which showcases India’s best in Chess, Chess for the Blind, and Rummy, will culminate in a high-stakes “phygital” finale on April 29–30 at Hyatt Regency, Gurugram.
This announcement follows the successful South Zone finals in Bengaluru and West Zone showdown in Mumbai, as SOGF now turns its spotlight to the North and East to discover the next generation of India’s mind sports champions.
Kapil Dev, Padma Bhushan awardee, shared his enthusiasm, “Mind sports are witnessing an incredible surge worldwide, propelled by high-speed internet, digital platforms, and growing accessibility. I’m delighted to join hands with SOGF to champion this movement in India. Strategic thinking, mental agility, discipline, and problem-solving—these are the qualities mind sports nurture, much like cricket. These skills are essential for shaping individuals who can compete on a global stage, and I’m proud to support an initiative that enhances India’s presence in this arena.”
The SOGF Grandmasters Series has emerged as India’s premier skill-based mind sports platform, with over 1,50,000 registrations across online qualifiers. In the Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG) category, 78,000 participants competed for a spot in the finals, while the Indian Chess Masters (ICM) drew 3,500 registrants, now narrowed to 32 finalists (16 men and 16 women). The Indian Chess Masters for the Blind (ICMB) has been organized in partnership with the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB), with 16 top players selected through zonal events.
Joining Kapil Dev in promoting the series is Koneru Humpy, acclaimed Indian Chess Grandmaster and Padma Shri awardee, who is the official brand ambassador for the entire SOGF series.
Reflecting on her journey with the initiative, Humpy said, “Being part of the SOGF series, including my presence at the Mumbai event, has been a rewarding experience. I truly believe in its potential to unearth and nurture India’s mind sports talent. I look forward to witnessing its growth and impact, confident that it will become a significant milestone on the Indian sports calendar, attracting top players from around the world.”
Shankar Aggarwal, President, SOGF, emphasized the significance of Kapil Dev’s involvement, “Having Kapil Dev as our Brand Ambassador for the North and East Zone Finals is a game-changer. His towering legacy in sports and his ability to inspire generations align perfectly with our vision.”
The North and East Zone Finals promise to deliver an immersive “phygital” experience, combining the best of digital innovation and real-world competition. Winners will receive the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Scholarship and a share of INR 60 lakhs in prize money awarded across the South and West zones, with more to be awarded in Gurugram. Finalists will also earn a coveted place at the SOGF Grandmasters National Finals in New Delhi later this year, where national titles in Rummy, Chess, and Chess for the Blind will be decided.
SOGF’s broader vision includes collaboration with global organizations like the International Esports Federation (IESF), International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), and Global Esports Federation (GEF), positioning India as a rising force in the global mind sports and esports ecosystem.
