Kannur: In a first, a youth from here has been selected to take part in the Asian Paralympics. T Shaibu, from Vengara Kuthirummal in Pazhayangadi, will represent India in the chess championship taking place in Indonesia's Jakarta in October.
Another player from Kerala is Kozhikode native Muhammad Saali. Nine players who have fully lost their eyesight and nine who have partially lost their vision will play for the country in two categories.
Shaibu is the current state chess champion. He was the state champion in 2003 too. He has been representing Kerala at national championships for the last seven years. He has taken part in more than 30 tournaments too. Nationally, he is ranked 17th.
One of the highlights of his career is the World Chess Federation's national rating (1449) won by playing against those with normal eyesight. In south zone championships, he bagged the second spot once and came fourth once.
Shaibu started playing chess at the age of 10 when he was studying at the Kasaragod government school. Teacher K Rajan encouraged him. The support by Thrissur Kerala Varma College professor N R Anil Kumar also played a key role in his success.
However, he is afraid his poor financial condition will checkmate his bid for further moves. At present, he has to bear his travel expenses on his own. Son of late Kunjiraman and Chandrika, Shaibu works as telephone operator at Kannur Malabar Eye Hospital.
