"Asian chess has been growing from strength to strength of late and I hope it will continue to ride high under the stewardship of Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifah Al Nahyan, its President," Anand said during the felicitation.
The felicitation was attended by not just other chess stars Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, GM Dibyendu Barua, India's age-group World champions, heads of State associations, but also by a few Indian cricketers -- former captain K Srikkanth, W V Raman, V B Chandrasekhar, L Balaji, Tamil Nadu Ranji cricketers -- and table tennis star S Raman.
Hailing the efforts of the new AICF President N Srinivasan of India Cements, Anand said: "I can see that chess has been benefiting from his leadership. Srinivasan has been giving the sport the right direction."
Thanking former India captain Rahul Dravid for turning up as the guest of honour along with Sheikh Khalifah, Anand said watching Dravid play and reading about him revealed that both had similar personalities.
"His attitude and personality are fairly similar to mine. He is 'The Wall' and I am the 'Tiger of Chennai', as they have been calling me," he said.
Sharp intellect
Hailing Anand, Dravid said winning the World crown for a second time showed Anand's sharp intellect, determination and grit. "He has achieved so much. He has been a true inspiration," the ace Indian batsman observed.
Dravid noted that Anand made this journey to the top on his own, just as Prakash Padukone who had put Indian badminton on the world map. "He has shown the way for many. That's fantastic. He is truly the country's best sportsperson," Dravid added.
"What I see here today is an Anand effect," Dravid said. "I have followed his achievement with great pride. He is an inspiration not only for me, but for all Indians."
"He has been a fantastic role model for sportsmen...for all Indians. He has gone about with dignity, even after being a double World champion, which should be a lesson for all Indians," Dravid said.
The AICF presented a cash award of Rs 10 lakh to Anand for winning the World crown.
