Former Indian cricketer, Kapil Dev has been announced as the Brand Ambassador for the North and East Zone Finals of the SOGF Grandmasters Series.
Organized by the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF), this premier mind sports championship will culminate in a thrilling showdown on April 29 and 30 at the luxurious Hyatt Regency in Gurugram. After the South Zone finals in Bengaluru and West Zone’s in Mumbai, the series now turns its spotlight to the North and East.
Kapil Dev said, “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.”
Shankar Aggarwal, President, SOGF said, “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.”
Koneru Humpy, an Indian Chess Grandmaster, is the brand ambassador for the entire SOGF series. Humpy’s decorated career includes multiple World Youth Chess Championship titles and two victories in the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship (2019 and 2024), alongside gold medals at the Olympiad, Asian Games, and Asian Championships.
“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,” said Koneru Humpy, a celebrated Indian Chess Grandmaster.
The SOGF Grandmasters Series has already made waves with unprecedented participation. Across its online qualifiers in the past, the tournament recorded more than 1,50,000 registrations, reflecting its status as India’s leading skill-based mind sports championship. The Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG) category saw 78,000 players compete online, with 150 advancing to the finals after intense rounds. The Indian Chess Masters (ICM) drew 3,500 registrants, narrowing down to 32 finalists—16 men and 16 women—who will battle it out in Gurugram.
The Indian Chess Masters for the Blind (ICMB) worked with the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB) to select 16 exceptional players through zonal events, ensuring diverse representation.
The event builds on the momentum of earlier zones, where winners received the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Scholarship along with Prize Money totaling more than ₹60 lakhs lakh across South and West zones—to support emerging mind sports talent.
In Gurugram, finalists will compete not only for regional glory but also for a coveted spot in the SOGF Grandmasters National Finals in New Delhi later this year. The national stage will crown the ultimate champions across all categories, with titles like the Indian Rummy Grandmaster, Indian Chess Master, and Indian Chess Master for the Blind up for grabs.
