‘Anand the greatest sportsman’

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Chess wizard Viswanathan Anand’s achievements are enough to confirm him as the best sportsperson of all time, believes Surya Shekhar Ganguly, the country’s next best bet in the game.
“The very fact that he has reached the summit time and again is what matters. His achievements over the years speak for him and are testimony to his being India’s best ever sportsperson,” Ganguly told this newspaper, adding, “Nevertheless, it’s not that he didn’t get his dues.”
Like many others, the Asian champion too believes that Anand is simply “unparalleled” at the moment if not unbeatable. “Well, challenges are and will always be there, especially from the likes of Veselin Topalov, Vladimir Kramnik, Magnus Carlsen and Aronian. But the manner in which Anand has overcome them only certifies that he is the best at present.”
Having witnessed all the moves that led Anand to prevail over Topalov in the recently held World Championships clash in Sofia, Bulgaria, Ganguly is keen to apply them in his own upcoming events in the United States, followed by competitions in Denmark and Greece and the Olympiad thereafter.
He considers himself fortunate to be able to feature in Anand’s team — an opportunity that taught him what dedication and discipline is all about.
“That I consider myself lucky to be part of his team would be an understatement,” Ganguly said.
“I am in his team since 2002, but we had to interact through internet in those days. I met him for the first time in 2007. Since then, I have undergone an overall improvement in aspects such as opening and calculation,” he elaborated.