Disable girl international chess champion - Fusion - WeRIndia

She is a very talented chess player but she could not get any funding or acknowledgement from the government.

Neither that nor her disability stopped from reaching heights.

She is now one of India’s best chess players and received recognition across the world. Her name is Malika Handa.

She is a hearing impaired girl hailing from Punjab. Chess became an important of her life. She found the game in 2010.

It changed her life. She was in school at that time. When she started playing the game with her cousin, she got interested in it.

Her father saw her gameplay and helped her become a professional player.

Malika says that her family is her biggest support and they helped her become what she is today.

Malika has always maintained a positive attitude. She does not let her disability define her.

She says that it was challenging for her to compete with ‘normal’ boys and girls.

Her biggest hurdle she faced however was the lack of help from the government.

Despite being one of the most talented chess player in the country, she barely received any support from the government.

In her graceful career, she has already achieved several awards. She became the national champion in her category thrice.

She got the silver medal at the World Championship for the deaf and even got Asian Champion at the Asian Individual Chess Championship for the deaf.

She also won the title of the World Individual Open Deaf Chess Championships 2016.

In just six years, she has achieved more than many veterans who are a decade older.

Malika says she is just starting out and intends to earn many more.

Her attitude has helped her get through many obstacles.

She even signs on emails as ‘Malika Handa (World Champion)’ showing her indomitable spirit.

Image Reference: TheBetterIndia, Thechessroom