Gukesh Dommaraju and the Indian chess team recently captured the team gold medal at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, marking India’s
first-ever top podium finish at this prestigious global event.
The 18-year-old chess prodigy also beat the No. 1 world champion, Magnus Carlsen, at the Norway Chess Tournament—an epic loss that even
caused Carlsen to slam his fist on the board in frustration.
These consecutive victories mean that Gukesh now holds both the world champion title and a Chess Olympiad team gold.
While the internet was buzzing over Gukesh’s victory, the mainstream Indian media celebrated history in silence.
An event so dramatic should’ve made ripples on traditional TV or national headlines; however, the only sports news that had all the
eyeballs was RCB’s IPL victory.
One user posted, “If other sports don’t bring in the same kind of profits, why should the media care?” He followed by arguing that the
media isn’t a charity running awareness drives; it’s a business.
Despite their impressive achievements, chess and even other sports like archery, hockey, wrestling, etc., are continually ignored in the
mainstream media all because they don’t sell.
Another suggested it’s not practical to watch chess live, as it isn’t a performative sport like cricket or football, and even if you watch
the game, it’s the board one follows, not the players, making it difficult for chess to become a mass spectator sport.
However, representation means more than just screen time; every athlete who dons the Indian jersey carries the weight of the nation’s
pride. Their wins, too, require the same dedication, discipline, and patriotism as any cricketing triumph. While these sports might not
“sell,” their lack of visibility is a dangerous precedent.
How can one expect young children to pursue alternative sports when they see no celebration or support for it? Visibility leads to
aspirations for the champions as well as up-and-coming prodigies.
As these talents make history, the least we can do is cheer them along the way. Even if it’s not profitable, journalists and media houses can change this narrative. At the end of the day, it’s their job to inform, inspire, and uplift diverse talents across the country.
