NIIT Brand Ambassador - GM Viswanathan Anand to cheer for the Indian Hockey Team

India's Chess ace, Viswanathan Anand will be among the spectators for the key India-Pakistan Hockey match to be played in Madrid on 6th March.

Anand, who is part Madrilenyo, will for the first time be a spectator at an International Sporting event where India is playing. "We don't get many other sportsmen from India here in Madrid. Mahesh did very well here in October, but I was away in Moscow at that time. My last event in 1998 in Madrid was also very lucky for me. Hope that repeats with the hockey team."

Anand has been following the progress of the team on the Internet. Today, the Indian chess maestro in a telephonic conversation with Mr. Singh wished the team all the very best for the game against Malaysia.

The Embassy of India in Madrid has made special arrangements for the Indian community in Madrid to watch the games and hopes to field a sizeable cheering squad for the Hockey team.

Anand was invited in 1999 to the Club de Campo, the venue of the Hockey qualifications to give a simultaneous display and remembers fondly being shown the hockey field and the mementos of the various visits made by the Indian hockey team to Spain.

"Most Europeans have heard about our prowess in Hockey. I am glad that India is playing in Madrid and I hope it proves to be a lucky venue for them. I look forward to watching them in action. I was in Sydney when India played but unfortunately I couldn't watch it live. This will be the first time I will be watching India in action. I wish the team all the best and I hope they play without any pressures and enjoy their experience here." Said Anand from his residence in Spain.

The next stop on the chess circuit for Anand is the Melody Amber Tournament that starts on March 19th in Monaco. The annual Blind and Rapid chess event played in Monte Carlo is a unique thematic tournament. The World Rapid Chess
Champion will defend his title at the 13th edition of the event. Anand has won the event already three times ( 1994, 1997 and 2003). In 1997 he created an unprecedented and unbeaten record of winning the two categories of Blind,
Rapid and the combined prize.

Anand has been training for the event and will take time off from his work to watch India in action on Saturday.