The Chess Players' Association of India (CPAI) aired its grievance over AICF deducting 10 per cent of the prize money and the omission of WGM Nisha Mohota from the recently held Asian Women's championships at a press conference here.

"Overwhelming majority of the players felt that in an environment of poor employment and sponsorship opportunities, prize money forms an important source of income and in principle it is highly unethical to deduct any such hard-earned money from players to meet Federation's expenses," said Dibyendu Barua, president of CPAI.

He also termed Mohota's omission as a "clear case of victimisation" as she was not selected despite her meeting the qualification norms because she was a member of the CPAI.

The immediate reason for the players to seek public and media support was AICF secretary P T Ummer Koya staging a walkout at the prize money distribution ceremony at an international open event here yesterday.

That both the issues raised by the players had crossed the point of no return put the issue in perspective.

While the AICF had passed a resolution in its last annual general meeting in November last year to the effect that no deduction would be made from players' prize money from January 2005, the CPAI wanted the refund of the money deducted in tournaments held immediately after the AGM. (Agencies)