Sports quota scam: Chess certificates bought' for Rs 20,000 for medical seats

Hyderabad: The investigation into the sports quota scam in medical seats revealed how certain candidates secured certificates in chess. To be considered a national or international player in chess, one has to play a cycle of competitions at school, college, district, state, inter-state, national and international level. However, through a provision called “donor entry”, a student can pay Rs 10,000 and secure a national participation certificate, and an international level certificate for Rs 20,000.

These certificates were submitted to secure medical seats by undeserving candidates. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) delved into the fraud and identified three such undeserving candidates, two female and one male, who managed to secure MBBS seats under sports quota during the academic year 2010-11, 2016-17 and 2017-18 by submitting certificates issued through donor entry.

An investigating officer with the ACB said, “The trio were not avid chess players. The girl who bagged a medical seat in 2010-11, was a participant at the Commonwealth Games through donor entry and secured one point in the game and she does not qualify for a seat. It was the same with the other two. Also, during the course of the probe when ACB officials visited colleges where these candidates secured a seat, it was found that none were medallists or even played in inter-college chess competitions.”

A member of the TS Chess Association told Deccan Chronicle, “A series of inter-district tournaments are held throughout the state and the top 10 players are selected, out of which two are sent for the nationals. The All India Chess regulation norms allow two from each state. But, since we need to do justice to a few more deserving players, the Association allows them to participate through donor entry.”