Indian cricket superstar Ajinkya Rahane has been named as the brand ambassador of the West Zone Finals for the SOGF Grandmasters Series, a huge mind sports competition run by the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF). The initiative showcases Rahane's backing for intellectual sports like online chess and chess for the blind.

A Major Boost for Mind Sports
The SOGF Grandmasters Series has become one of the country's premier stages for strategy-driven tournaments in India, with contests such as Indian Rummy, Chess Masters, and Chess for the Blind. The tournament, which has recorded more than 150,000 registrations, has seen increased popularity, fostering thinking abilities, strategical prowess, and inclusiveness.

RAHANE BACKS ONLINE CHESS & CHESS FOR BLIND..!!! 🇮🇳

Rahane is set to become the Brand ambassador for SOG Grandmasters, great to see cricketers supporting & helping mind sports to grow in the country. pic.twitter.com/YAPcRlCs7F

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 28, 2025

Referring to his alignment with SOGF, Rahane spoke about the enthusiasm he had for being involved with an effort that encourages mental discipline and problem-solving skills.

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"Mindsports such as chess take unimaginable concentration and strategic reasoning similar to cricket. I feel blessed to endorse a tournament which provokes the participation of these same skills from its players and lends a window through which the nation can watch out for their prowess," Rahane said.

West Zone Finals: The Road to Nationals
The West Zone Final of the SOGF Grandmasters Series will be held on March 3-4, 2025, and will unite the best of the region. The champions will proceed to the National Final in New Delhi in April 2025.

This tournament seeks to close the difference between physical and mental sports and bring young minds to it, while also seeing that visually challenged players receive their due.

Rahane's Increasing Role in Chess Promotion
Ajinkya Rahane's partnership with the SOGF Grandmasters Series is another milestone in the increasing trend of cricketers supporting mind sports. His support for chess for the blind is also in line with international initiatives to make chess more inclusive and accessible.

With Rahane's support, the SOGF Grandmasters Series will gain more visibility and participation, motivating more young talents to take up mind sports.