Ivana Furtado Wins Award

From The Navhind Times Ivana wins Gulab award for best sportsperson NT NETWORK MARGAO - Goa’s young chess wonder, double U-8 world champ and Dempo’s Goodwill Ambassador Ivana Maria Furtado won the Gulab Award for best sportsperson for the year 2007 on Sunday. The award was received on Ivana’s behalf by her brother Keegan at Gomant Vidyaniketan, here. Mr Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs was the chief guest. Meanwhile, two-time world under-8 girls champion Ivana Furtado, who is presently competing for the title at Asian Youth chess championships in Tehran (iran), also remained in joint lead in the under-10 girls after compatriot M Mahalakshmi proved equal to her in a keenly contested game. Both the Indian girls now have 3.5 points apiece and continue to be atop the table with five more rounds to go. ************************************************************************************ Report on Ivana Furtado at the Asian Youth chess championship from The Press Trust of India: From our chess correspondent Tehran (Iran), July 20 (PTI) Twice world under-8 girls chess champion Ivana Furtado faltered and went down to compatriot G K Monnisha while M Mahalakshmi continued to roll in the under-10 girls section of the Asian Youth chess championships now in progress here. With just two rounds to come in the 9-rounds event, Mahalakshmi emerged as the sole leader on 6.5 points out of a possible 7 and now enjoys a huge 1.5 points lead over nearest rivals. Barring a debacles, Mahalakshmi's gold is confirmed. After losing her 5th round game against compatriot Swetty Patel, Ivana Furtado lost her second successive game to remain on 4.5 points. The Goan girl who holds a unique record in the world championships, will now have to wait for the Asian title till next year.