Tania Sachdev: From TV presenter to Olympiad gold winner

Tania Sachdev at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest. , Photo Credit: FIDE

From being a television presenter talking about the world’s top athletes winning gold medals at the Paris Olympics to winning a gold medal herself at the Chess Olympiad within a fortnight, Tania Sachdev went through an experience that many people would never imagine. Would not have been found.

“It was really incredible that I was able to be a part of two Olympics in such different ways,” Tania said. The Hindu On Sunday. “The selection of the Indian team for the Chess Olympiad was made just two days before I left for Mumbai to participate in that event for the Olympics. I have not been playing many tournaments in the last few years. So I was thinking at that moment, ‘How am I going to accomplish this?'”

He pulled it off, okay.

She played on the reserve board for India. He played five games, won two and drew three.

Tania is happy that she could contribute to winning the gold medal for India. “India may win Olympiad gold again, but it feels great to know that I was part of the team that won it for the first time,” she says. “Standing on the podium and receiving the gold medal, with my gold medal-winning team, I can’t explain the emotions I went through.”

Will she be tempted to play more after winning gold at the Olympiad?

“I wish I knew the definitive answer,” she says. “I love doing commentary, it’s not a job for me; It’s something I enjoy. But playing is still something I stick with. I don’t know what the future holds for me in terms of balancing playing and commentary, but I’m very happy to have won this gold before I retire from competitive play.”

However Tania is a bit disappointed that in states like Delhi, where she lives, chess or even Olympiad gold is not getting the attention it deserves. “It is really sad,” she says. “Look at a state like Tamil Nadu, which always respects its chess players and the way it conducted the last Olympiad two years ago. Some other states like Andhra and Telangana are also performing well. I hope this should happen across the country, so that more children get inspired.”